The mask of Mahakali seems quite frightening. That is also adorned with the paintings of osseins. The green jewel in the apex of her nose introduces her as one of the major deities of the Nava Durga dance. Similarly, the third eye of her relates her to Lord Shiva.
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The Kumari in Nava Durga dance ceremonies is also considered one of the major deities. She also holds that green jewel on her face.
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Barahi also has that green jewel on the top of her nose but she is not counts as the main performers among the Nava Durga. Anyhow, she does an independent dance performance.
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The mask of Shiva is always coloured, red. Depicting the angry face of him. He is carried by Lord Ganesha. So, no one wears this mask. Also, the fact is that the mask is small and not worn signs to his peripheral role in Nava Durga Pantheon.
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The mask of Bhairava is also terrifying as the mask of Mahakali. It is painted, black. Meanwhile, the dancer also wears a black costume.
The twisted rounded headband of each deity represents either Lord Shiva or Lord Vishnu. However, in the case of Bhairav, there is an image of Bramha.
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The mask of Swet Bhairav is exceptionally beautiful which has elaborated headdresses. That depicts an unusual character to the Nava Durga Pantheon. But still, he is the only one who is allowed to dance with Mahakali.
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Sima is according to the belief is a male and a representation of the tiger. Sima and Duma, habitually dance together. They are called the messengers of the death as well as the bodyguard of Lord Shiva.
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Duma is represented as a female and a lion. As Sima and Duma normally, dance together, they try to show their fierceness through mimicked roaring.
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Mahalaxmi does not have a public mask either a face in her silver repousse appearance. She is aimed as the mother goddess of the pantheon who surpasses the tantric powers to other deities from Taleju. Similarly, when she is set aside in a particular residence, the mask of shiva is hanged on the roof of her chariot. That also shows the importance of Mahalaxmi.
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Bramayeni is also one of those deities who are considered as a minor deity in the pantheon of Nava Durga.
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Maheshwari is one of the least demonic forms of Nava Durga. Since she also had the third eye, she seems more close to Lord Shiva.
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Indrayani/Bal Kumari is listed among the minor deities of Nava Durga dance ceremonies. But, it has a third eye on her forehead. That explicates her imminent relation to Lord shiva.
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Thi mask is mostly indicated as Bhadrakali. But it has another name Vaishnavi as mentioned in the pantheon of Nava Durga.
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Ganesha or the Binayaki, she also owes an independent dance as of Barahi's. And she is assumed as the female avatar of Lord Ganesha.
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The image of Swet Bhairav with his crown as well.
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Sima, while posing its mask.
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Barahi, throwing a cup of tho.
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Bhairava, in its full attire.
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The Mahakali
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Nava Durga dance ceremonies are the liveliness of Bhaktapur that starts from Dashain and ends in Bhagasti. It is more like a life cycle that evaporates a lot about the celebrations of Bhaktapur.
Moreover, it also explicates the importance of those celebrations to Newa society.
Bhaktapur being the homeland of such powerful dance ceremonies, also depicted itself as an exceptionally beautiful and conservative burgh, notwithstanding that, it has a strong cultural background too.
So, here in this photo story, we are trying to make you guys frequent the most dramatic street performance of Bhaktapur, the Nava Durga dance. Amidst their characters.
While the Tripura Sundari and Mahalaxmi do not take part in performances, their masks are also not publicized. Therefore, there would be only seven matrikas who participates in the act. With that, Lord Shiva does not take part in it.
That’s how only twelve out of fifteen characters hold all the performances. In which also, Mahakali and Bhairava seem as main characters.
The mask of Shiva is always coloured, red. Depicting the angry face of him. He is carried by Lord Ganesha. So, no one wears this mask. Also, the fact is that the mask is small and not worn signs to his peripheral role in Nava Durga Pantheon.
PC: The Bhadgaunlezzz from Khwopazz
Mahalaxmi does not have a public mask either a face in her silver repousse appearance. She is aimed as the mother goddess of the pantheon who surpasses the tantric powers to other deities from Taleju. Similarly, when she is set aside in a particular residence, the mask of shiva is hanged on the roof of her chariot. That also shows the importance of Mahalaxmi.
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