A child's fascination.

A September afternoon. From a temple window, a small boy's gaze is held by exuberant festival preparations in the crowded street below. He looks out from the home of the Royal Kumari, the living goddess of Kathmandu, ( a young girl chosen as a manifestation of the divine female energy, believed to be the incarnation of the goddess Taleju ), revered and worshipped in Nepal by many Hindus and Nepali Buddhists.

The boy is dressed as a human representation of the Hindu deity Ganesh, ( the creator and remover of obstacles ). He's enthralled, watching the preparation of three ornate, golden chariots,- soon to be pulled by many people through the streets of Kathmandu, during Kumari Jatra ( the Kumari festival ).

After some time, the boy will be carried downstairs and placed on cushions high in one of the chariots. Then, he and another young boy, representing the deity Bhairava ( a manifestation of Lord Shiva, Bhairava is a very important deity for the Newar people of the Kathmandu Valley ), will accompany the Kumari, each seated in their individual chariots, looking over the thousands who've come for the festival. Great wooden wheels rumble over cobble stones as the chariots are slowly pulled forward by human effort and enthusiasm. The procession, escorted by traditional musicians, amid a surging throng of people in joyful celebration, wends it's way through the city streets and into the night.

Representing Ganesh is an honour and blessing for the boy and his family, ... the three days of Kumari Jatra, will be long and amazing for him.

* * * * *

Each year, in September, during Yenya, the largest street festival in Nepal, Kumari Jatra and Indra Jatra ( Indra, the Hindu god of thunder and rain) take place simultaneously. Making for an enormous and spectacular festival of processions, rituals, prayer and traditional masked dance, lasting many days.

Kumari Ghar, Durbar Square, Kathmandu, Nepal.

To learn more about Yenya, [link]

A retrospective image (1993). 100 ASA Fujichrome FILM.

© Copyright 2012-13 Lindel Caine. All Rights Reserved. This image may not be reproduced, printed or used in any way or form without my written permission. This image may not be transmitted, uploaded to or posted on sites or blogs other than deviantart.com. Please respect this statement and Protect Creative Copyright.

November 14, 2012: After the internet here being down since yesterday, it was a happy surprise to see the DD this morning. Thank you very much to xbastex for featuring "Yenya", - it was an exceptional day in this young boy's life and the image remains one of my personal favourites. I'm glad that so many of you are enjoying this moment too. ♡