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Nepal Observes Bala Chaturdashi, A Festival To Give Salvation To Departed Souls

A Nepali Hindu devotee floats live oil-fed lamps in the sacred Bagmati River in Kathmandu, Nepal, on November 19, 2025, during Bala Chaturdashi, a festival to give salvation to departed souls. In remembrance of beloved ones, Nepali Hindu devotees offer oil-fed lamps into the Bagmati River flowing 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. 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. In the evening, they reach the Pashupatinath temple or shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and chant hymns and prayers to Lord Shiva all night long. They light ''Akhanda Jyoti'' in the name of the deceased souls of their families. The next morning, Marga Krishna Chaturdashi, they take a holy bath and start their journey around the Pashupatinath temple premises, spreading seven kinds of grains along the way. 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. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto)

Photo Details

Photo ID	#13004151
Date Taken	19 November 2025
Location	N/A
Photographer	Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto
Category	Religion and Belief
Copyright	© 2025 NurPhoto - Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto

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One Person Three Quarter Length Nepali Hindu devotee oil-fed-lamps Bagmati River Kathmandu Bala Chaturdashi festival salvation departed souls remembrance Pashupatinath Temple after-life rituals Marga Krishna Trayodashi waning moon Mangsir fasting garlic onions fish eggs impure Lord Shiva hymns prayers Akhanda Jyoti deceased souls holy bath 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 Shivalinga Subaas Shrestha NurPhoto.

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