Kathmandu - Shveta Kali Naradeva Mandir

The large triple-roofed Shveta Kali Naradeva Mandir ("Temple of the White Kali"), said to have been founded by Gunakama Deva, is located on what used to be Kathmandu's principal north-south thoroughfare. The painted roof struts depict the eight Ashta Matrikas. Every twelfth year the temple is the venue for the Pisach Chaturdasi, the spring festival inaugurated at the time of Amara Malla (1530-38). During the festival a masked dance is performed on the podium opposite the mandir. The performance ends next morning with the sacrifice of a buffalo, the dancer drinking the animal's blood.