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

A Nepali Hindu devotee undergoing Swosthani Brata Katha performs rituals on the embankments of the Bagmati River as they begin ''Pardes Yatra'' from Pashupati in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 29, 2025. They travel about 13.5 kilometers on foot to Pashupatinath Temple as part of their first ''Pardes Yatra,'' which is a ritual performed while undergoing the month-long arduous Swosthani 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 ID	#11994419
Date Taken	29 January 2025
Location	N/A
Photographer	Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto
Category	Religion and Belief
Copyright	© 2026 NurPhoto - Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto

Nepali Hindu devotee Swosthani Brata Katha rituals Bagmati River Pardes Yatra Pashupati January 2025 Pashupatinath Temple fasting tradition women Narayan temples Shiva temples Kathmandu Bajrayogini Shesha Narayan Pharping Panauti Changunarayan bare-footed month-long foods salt spices rice beaten rice sugar ghee sugar candy molasses spinach Patan peas sacred annual ritual full moon day Poush Lunar Calendar religious sermons Subaas Shrestha NurPhoto.