Kathmandu, Aug. 17 -- Sanju Putuwar, 28, from Halchok, Kathmandu, has a deep love for culture. Since childhood, he has been drawn to festivals and processions, often accompanying his grandfather, Indra Bahadur, a guru of traditional drums, during performances and lending a hand in religious rituals.

This eagerness has kept him actively involved in the Akash Bhairav dance for six years. He carried the ceremonial lamp in the recently concluded 12-year Akash Bhairav festival.

Om Putuwar, 19, from Halchok, was fascinated by the idea of performing as Bhairav from a young age. Bhairav is considered the fierce form of Lord Mahadev. "I often wondered how it would feel to dance in that form," he recalls. "At first, I was very scared. I still rem...