Mahakali Naach/Dance

Mahakali dance is one of the popular dances of Newar community in Nepal. This dance is based on the religious story from a Hindu Puran: ‘Mahakali Mahalaxmi’. This dance demonstrates the great joy and happiness after the victory of mother goddess over the demons. The mahakali dance is performed during seventh day of Dashain The dance is performed in dabu: (stone stage) mainly at Indreswor temple courtyard, bramhayani dabu and Lampati. The existence of seven old stone stages specifically devoted to theatre and dance at Panauti city emphasized the importance of these cultural activities in Newar settlement during medevial period. The dance always starts with the masked dancers making an offering to the local Naashdyah: temple.