Lakhey
Lakhey jatra KZfaq
Colourful aspects of lakhey Jatra
Lakhey lakhey jatra
Majipa Lakhey
Lakhe jatra KZfaq
Lakhey Jatra
Known as Lakhey
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Lakhey
Majipa Lakhey jatra
Lakhey jatra KZfaq
Lakhe jatraKZfaq
Colourful aspects of lakhey Jatra
Lakhey Jatralakhey Lakhey jayra
Known as Lakhey
Majipa Lakhe
Lakhey Dance In Indra Jatra In Kathmandu
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lakhey jatra
lakhey
It is the dance of a demon in the carnival of God. Durbar Square, a historic plaza in Katmandu, Nepal, facing ancient palaces and adorned by Hindu temples, is always full of eager crowds on the last day of Indra Jatra, the festival celebrating Indra, the Hindu king of heaven. In this divine stage, Lakhe the demon dances among gods and dieties relentlessly and carelessly.
On this night, there are many dances displayed, including that of 12 bhairavs (or manifestations of Lord Shiva). But the most famous dance, and the most intimidating, is the Lakhe dance. The demon, or Lakhe, dances wearing a huge red, terrifying mask with prominent, bawdy eyes. Protruding fangs, serrated teeth, and a dark red wig complete the awe-inspiring countenance of the man-eating demon as he dances and thrashes his limbs. The general belief is that the spirit of the Lakhe resides in the demonic mask, or khawpa. As the dancer puts the khawpa on, the spirit takes over the dancer’s body and dictates the movements.
Although primarily an ethnic festival of indigenous Newars, Indra Jatra draws scores of other Hindus and Buddhists to Durbar Square, to celebrate tradition and mythology. Mythology, in the form of stories and anecdotes, is an integral part of the Hindu societies like Newari communities of Nepal. The myth surrounding Lakhe (or Majipa Lakhe) has many variations but all revolve around the following plot:
A town called Majipa is haunted by flesh-eating demons (in Newari the word “Lakhe” denotes carnivorous demons). One Lakhe falls in love with a young girl in town and starts visiting the girl in human guise. But when he is captured, instead of punishing him, the king of Majipa offers him impunity and life with his lover if he promises to give up his carnivorous appetite and protect the children of Majipa.