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Nepal: The Shveta Bhairav or White Bhairav, a manifestation of the Hindu god Shiva, on display during the festival of Indra Jatra, Kathmandu (1996)

Rana Bahadur Shah installed the Shveta Bhairav (White Bhairav) in 1796 to drive away evil spirits and ghosts from Durbar Square. It represents the most terrifying form of the Hindu god Shiva.

Just a few metres south of Kala Bhairav (Black Bhairav), the four metre high gilded, leering mask representing Shveta Bhairav is hidden behind a latticed wooden door. Compared to the boundless horror of Kala Bhairav, the almost charming wickedness of his nearby companion comes as a mild relief. The door in front of the mask is only opened during the festival of Indra Jatra. For the rest of the year it remains closed, hiding what is undoubtedly a more artistically executed figure than that of the Kala Bhairav.

Despite greeting the visitor with an evil, tongueless grin, exposing long white teeth, the mask is leant a certain attractiveness by its golden hue. During Indra Jatra, copious amounts of rice beer are poured through the mouth of Shveta Bhairav, to be eagerly lapped up by the exuberant, jostling crowd.