A red sari-clad woman performs rite at a gilded Nepali shrine

An elegant woman performs a rite at a gilded shrine at Swayambhu, a famed Hindu-Buddhist temple complex atop a hill overlooking Kathmandu. This particular shrine belongs to the Hindu goddess Hariti Devi, who, it is believed, watches over children and can save them from smallpox, cholera and other sicknesses. People bring offerings to the goddess, and pray for her protection. To Buddhists, Hariti is an incarnation of Sitala, another mother goddess also called Ma or Mata and worshipped thoughout Nothern India as a healer and protectress of children.

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Filename: Nepal-LX042pc.tif
Copyright: © 2008 Bill Wisser
Image Size: 3572x5351 / 126.9MB; billwisserphoto.com; Asia Indian subcontinent Kathmandu Kathmandu Valley Katmandu Nepal Nepalese Nepali Places Hariti Temple religion lamps motherhood religion faith prayer travel photographer documentary photographer
Contained in galleries: Kathmandu

An elegant woman performs a rite at a gilded shrine at Swayambhu, a famed Hindu-Buddhist temple complex atop a hill overlooking Kathmandu. This particular shrine belongs to the Hindu goddess Hariti Devi, who, it is believed, watches over children and can save them from smallpox, cholera and other sicknesses. People bring offerings to the goddess, and pray for her protection. To Buddhists, Hariti is an incarnation of Sitala, another mother goddess also called Ma or Mata and worshipped thoughout Nothern India as a healer and protectress of children.