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

The reflection of Nepali Hindu devotees undergoing Swosthani Brata Katha appears in the flowing 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 during the month-long Swosthani Brata (fasting). According to tradition, women undertaking the month-long Swosthani Brata travel in groups to Narayan and Shiva temples within and around Kathmandu. The fasting devotees, barefoot, reach Bajrayogini, Pashupatinath, Shesha Narayan of Pharping, Panauti, and Changunarayan to perform rituals. Devotees who fast for a month do not eat food cooked by others, excluding salt and other spices. They only eat rice, beaten rice, sugar, ghee, sugar candy, molasses, spinach from Patan, and peas, which are considered sacred. The annual ritual of Swosthani Brata Katha starts on the full moon day of Poush (the 9th month of the Lunar Calendar), initiating the recitation of religious sermons. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto)

Photo ID	#11994422
Date Taken	29 January 2025
Location	N/A
Photographer	Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto
Category	Religion and Belief
Copyright	© 2026 NurPhoto - Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto

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