Perchten Festival: Demons ward off the ghosts of winter in Pagal ritual

A man dressed in a traditional Perchten costume and mask performs during a Perchten festival in the western Austrian village of Kappl. (REUTERS)

Updated on: Nov 14, 2015 3:14 PM IST

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A man dressed in a traditional Perchten costume and mask performs during a Perchten festival in the western Austrian village of Kappl. (REUTERS)

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Each year in November and January, people in the western Austria regions dress up in Perchten costumes. (REUTERS)

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People parade through the streets to perform a 1,500 year-old pagan ritual to disperse the ghosts of winter. (REUTERS)

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A man dressed like demon during a Perchten festival. (REUTERS)

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A man dressed in a traditional Perchten costume to get rid of some winter ghosts. (REUTERS)

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Devil cult? A man dressed in animal costume. (REUTERS)

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People gather to see people dressed in a traditional Perchten costume and mask. (REUTERS)