Click image to zoom

Nepal’s Longest And Arduous Fasting Ritual- Madhav Narayan Concludes For The Year

Fasting Nepali Hindu devotees prepare to take a holy dip on the last day of the one-month-long arduous fasting ritual of Madhav Narayan in Bhaktapur, Nepal, on February 1, 2026. Devotees who undertake this 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 Madhav Narayan starts from the full moon day of Poush (Ninth Month of Lunar Calendar), initiating the recitation of religious sermons. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto)

Photo ID	#13262604
Date Taken	1 February 2026
Location	N/A
Photographer	Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto
Category	Religion and Belief
Copyright	© 2026 NurPhoto - Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto

Large Group of People Fasting Nepali Hindu devotees holy dip arduous fasting ritual Madhav Narayan Bhaktapur Nepal February 1 2026 month-long foods cooked by others exclude salt spices rice beaten rice sugar ghee sugar candy molasses spinach Patan peas sacred annual ritual full moon day Poush Ninth Month Lunar Calendar recitation religious sermons Subaas Shrestha NurPhoto.