Life is returning to normalcy in the Valley, but the future of its festivals remains in limbo

With major festivals postponed or halted, the cultural landscape of the Kathmandu valley has suffered greatly, directly affecting its people whose identities are intertwined with their traditions.

On the first Monday of the Nepali month of Shrawan, Rama Sigdel put on a mask, wore gloves and walked towards Pashupatinath Temple from her home in Chabahil. Because devotees aren’t allowed to enter the temple premises citing fear of Covid-19 contraction, there are over a 100 people gathered outside the premises. Most of them have masks over their faces.