In pictures: Chinese New Year celebrations at Tiretti Bazar

Residents, onlookers and visitors to Tiretti Bazar gather to witness the Dance of the Lions

Amit Datta

A reveller holds up a Chinese calendar. The New Year festival starts a couple of days before the New Year and continues for two weeks

Amit Datta

The Dance of the Lions chases away all the ‘bad juju’. As a reward, the lion is fed lettuce and given a token red envelope, both dangled before his fierce eyes as he leaps for them

Amit Datta

Young residents of Tiretti Bazar — some in Covid masks, others in more decorative gear — look on as the procession passes below

Amit Datta

According to Chinese legends, hungry lions come down from the mountains or rise from the sea at the beginning of spring. Although the lions look ferocious, they are afraid of the loud sounds — making drums and the sound they make essential to any celebration

Amit Datta

'I have been a part of Shining Star (the group that performed at Tiretti Bazar) for 10 years now and have been performing at the festival for the last eight years. We usually practice for two months to brush up on our skills . It's always fun because we're a huge group and we don't meet throughout the year. So this is a great chance to catch up and celebrate our festival,' said Sarah Chung (left), a 22-year-old who played the drums at the festival

Amit Datta

A dancer on the way to a performance. The lion can be orchestrated by two dancers inside the frame. The dragon, on the other hand, is operated by at least six to eight people

Amit Datta