In Patan’s Mul Chok during Dashain Navaratri (ninth night) Asta Matrika dancers celebrate the Goddess Durga triumph over the buffalo demon, Mahisasur. Men and boys dressed to represent the mother-earth goddess become possessed with the goddess energy and perform acts showing her powers. The performances were initiated in seventeenth century by the Malla king Srinavasa, whose father built the Krishna temple in Patan. Indrani dances in an orange mask covered with eyes; nobody can hide from the goddess. Maheswari dances in white mask, which represents the female aspect of Shiva, who continually combats demons. Brahmayani, in a yellow mask, represents the human aspect of Brahma, the creator.
Kathmandu, Nepal.