The traditional Kumari Puja was held in front of the Taleju Bhawani Temple at Basantapur, Kathmandu, on the occasion of the Indra Jatra festival.

As part of the mass worship, 504 young girls from the Newar community, dressed as the living goddess Kumari, participated in the ritual, which is believed to invoke the protection of Goddess Taleju for the young girls.

The Indra Jatra festival, officially commenced on Sunday with the ceremonial raising of the sacred pole, “Indra dwaja,” in front of Hanumandhoka at Basantapur.

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