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Nepali Hindu Devotees Undergoing Arduous Fasting Of Swosthani In Nepal Embark On “Pardes Yatra” Touring Temples

A Hindu devotee carries the idol of Lord Madhav Narayan and brings it down to the Bagmati River for a ritualistic bath in the Pashupati Temple premises in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 29, 2025. The fasting devotees travel about 13.5 kilometers on foot to Pashupatinath Temple as part of their first ''Pardes Yatra,'' which is a ritual performed during the month-long arduous Swasthani Brata (fasting). According to tradition, women undertaking the month-long Swosthani Brata travel to Narayan and Shiva temples inside and in other districts adjoining Kathmandu in groups. The fasting devotees, barefoot, reach Bajrayogini, Pashupatinath, Shesha Narayan of Pharping, Panauti, and Changunarayan, performing rituals. Devotees who fast for a month do not eat foods cooked by others, which also exclude salt and other spices. They only eat rice, beaten rice, sugar, ghee, sugar candy, molasses, spinach from Patan, and peas among those considered sacred. The annual ritual of Swosthani Brata Katha starts from the full moon day of Poush (9th Month of the Lunar Calendar), initiating the recitation of the religious sermons. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto)

Photo Details

Photo ID	#11994402
Date Taken	29 January 2025
Location	N/A
Photographer	Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto
Category	Religion and Belief
Copyright	© 2026 NurPhoto - Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto

Related Keywords

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