Nepal community prays for departed souls

Buddhist Newar Community members pray for the souls of their departed family members by parading through various Buddhist temples. (Photo: AP)

Nepal's living goddess Kumari, is attended to by her mother as she prepares to watch a parade during Mataya Festival in Lalitpur. During this festival, Buddhist Newar Community members pray for the souls of their departed family members by parading through various Buddhist temples and stupas, playing traditional music, wearing traditional festival attire with some dressed as deities. (Photo: AP)

Nepal's living goddess Kumari, sits and watches a parade during Mataya Festival in Lalitpur (Photo: AP)

A Buddhist Newar community woman drinks water as she takes part in the parade (Photo: AP)

A Buddhist Newar community man dressed as Hindu deity Lord Mahadev participates in a parade during Mataya Festival in Lalitpur (Photo: AP)

A Buddhist Newar community woman in a festival attire lights a candle while she take parts in a parade during Mataya festival (Photo: AP)

Buddhist men from Newar community in traditional attire dance and play traditional music in front of a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha (Photo: AP)

A Buddhist man prostrates as he offers prayers during Mataya festival (Photo: AP)

A young Buddhist Newar community girl in a traditional attire takes a rest while walking in a parade during Mataya Festival in Lalitpur, Nepal (Photo:AP)