Click image to zoom

Bala Chaturdashi: Nepali Festival To Give Salvation To Departed Souls

A long exposure shot shows lights set to float in the Bagmati River by Hindu devotees in Kathmandu, Nepal, on November 30, 2024, during the occasion of Bala Chaturdashi. In remembrance of beloved ones, Nepali Hindu devotees offer oil-fed lamps into the Bagmati River, which flows through the premises of Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu on the day of Bala Chaturdashi. The live lamps float on the river, which is believed to lighten the world of departed souls in their afterlife. The seven grains, also called Satbeej, include dhaan (rice), jau (barley), til (sesame), gahun (wheat), chana (chickpeas), makai (maize), and kaguno (foxtail millet). Devotees walk along Kailash-Suryaghat-Gaurighat-Aryaghat-Guhyeshwari-Mrigasthali-Bishworup-Kirateshwar-108 Shivalinga. Devotees remain awake throughout the night, camping on the edge of the Bagmati River facing the Pashupatinath Temple. Rituals for Bala Chaturdashi start from Marga Krishna Trayodashi, the 13th day of the waning moon in the month of Mangsir (8th month according to the Nepali calendar). Devotees who observe this ritual maintain strict fasting, with only one meal that day, and abstain from garlic, onions, fish, eggs, and other food items that are said to be impure. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto)

Photo Details

Photo ID	#11822307
Date Taken	30 November 2024
Location	N/A
Photographer	Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto
Category	Religion and Belief
Copyright	© 2025 NurPhoto - Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto

Related Keywords

Long exposure light Bagmati River Hindu devotees Bala Chaturdashi Kathmandu remembrance oil-fed lamps Pashupatinath Temple departed souls after-life seven grains Satbeej dhaan rice jau barley til sesame gahun wheat chana chickpeas makai maize kaguno foxtail millet Kailash Suryaghat Gaurighat Aryaghat Guhyeshwari Mrigasthali Bishworup Kirateshwar 108 Shivalinga camping Marga Krishna Trayodashi waning moon Mangsir Nepali calendar fasting impure food Subaas Shrestha NurPhoto.

License This Photo

Digital Basic Editorial use on digital platforms only (websites, social media). Single use, up to 1 million monthly UVs. Worldwide distribution. NO COMMERCIAL OR PROMOTIONAL USE

€35.00

Editorial Print & Digital For editorial use in print and digital publications such as newspapers, magazines, and textbooks. Single use, up to 10,000 copies or 1 million UVs. Worldwide distribution. NO COMMERCIAL OR PROMOTIONAL USE

€99.00

Broadcast (TV & Digital) For editorial use in TV production or streaming platforms. Single use, all media rights excluding theatrical, with worldwide distribution in perpetuity. NO COMMERCIAL OR PROMOTIONAL USE

€399.00

Total Price

€35.00

Secure checkout

Need a custom license?

Contact Sales