Overview

Gaan Pyakhan is a ritual dance drama deeply rooted in Newar culture, performed during major festivals such as Pahachare and other religious occasions in the Kathmandu Valley. Dancers don vibrant, expressive masks and elaborate costumes representing deities, demons, and mythical beings. More than performance, the dance is a sacred offering meant to appease divine forces, drive away negativity, and restore spiritual balance in the community. Passed down through generations, the performers often undergo strict preparations, including fasting and rituals, to purify themselves before donning the masks. Gaan Pyakhan is not only a visual spectacle but also a living spiritual tradition that connects the community with its ancestral faith and heritage.