देबी प्याखः सक्व | Devi naach sankhu

Seveal places in the Kathmandu Valley can boast masked dances in which the goddess (Devi) defeats her demon adversary Daitya. The yearly Devi pyakham (dance) in the capital Kathmandu is performed during Indra yatra, the eight days festival of the king of gods. A salient feature of the performances is that Daitya goes about unmasked, as if he stands somewhat closer to human beings than the masked goddess who slays him, or rather who subdues him. For it is denied that Daitya is to be killed in the drama; at a more hidden level animosity goes together with affinity between the two opposed sides. #newars #sankhu #culture