Indra Jatra

As the monsoon ebbs and the rice turns gold, Kathmandu's old city raises a tall pole for Indra, launching eight days of revelry. Masked demons chase children through the crowd, a white elephant-god wanders in search of its master, and the great white Bhairav mask pours rice beer from its mouth. The most sacred moment of all comes when Kumari, a young girl revered as a living goddess, rides a wooden chariot through the ancient city.