"Scripture"

#12698180

31 August 2025

A Nepali reveler watches the celebration of the late summer festival of ''Gaura,'' singing songs of faith and struggle, while smoking in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 31, 2025. The festival, observed for five days and led primarily by women, has roots in ancient scriptures and centers on the worship of Goddess Gaura, also known as the Hindu goddess Parvati, and her union with Lord Shiva. The word Gaura refers to Gauri, another name for Goddess Parvati, and there are more than one thousand eight hundred names for her in total. Gaura Parva commemorates Parvati's penance to win Shiva as her husband. It marks the divine marriage between the two deities, an event mentioned in the Himavat Khanda, a segment of the Skanda Purana in Hinduism and several other Puranas. In these accounts, Parvati, the daughter of the Himalaya, worships Shiva through strict fasting. Her devotion eventually results in their union, which devotees continue to celebrate every year. The Manas Khanda section of the Skanda Purana places Gaura's origins in the Himalayan region, specifically among communities in Kumaon, Uttarakhand, India. The festival is most prominently celebrated in Nepal across the far-western districts of Doti, Baitadi, Dadeldhura, Darchula, Bajhang, Achham, and Bajura. It falls in August or September, depending on the lunar calendar.

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#12698181

31 August 2025

A Nepali reveler watches the celebration of the late summer festival of ''Gaura,'' singing songs of faith and struggle, while smoking in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 31, 2025. The festival, observed for five days and led primarily by women, has roots in ancient scriptures and centers on the worship of Goddess Gaura, also known as the Hindu goddess Parvati, and her union with Lord Shiva. The word Gaura refers to Gauri, another name for Goddess Parvati, and there are more than one thousand eight hundred names for her in total. Gaura Parva commemorates Parvati's penance to win Shiva as her husband. It marks the divine marriage between the two deities, an event mentioned in the Himavat Khanda, a segment of the Skanda Purana in Hinduism and several other Puranas. In these accounts, Parvati, the daughter of the Himalaya, worships Shiva through strict fasting. Her devotion eventually results in their union, which devotees continue to celebrate every year. The Manas Khanda section of the Skanda Purana places Gaura's origins in the Himalayan region, specifically among communities in Kumaon, Uttarakhand, India. The festival is most prominently celebrated in Nepal across the far-western districts of Doti, Baitadi, Dadeldhura, Darchula, Bajhang, Achham, and Bajura. It falls in August or September, depending on the lunar calendar.

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#12698182

31 August 2025

Nepali revelers watch the celebration of the late summer festival of ''Gaura,'' singing songs of faith and struggle while smoking in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 31, 2025. The festival, observed for five days and led primarily by women, has roots in ancient scriptures and centers on the worship of Goddess Gaura, also known as the Hindu goddess Parvati, and her union with Lord Shiva. The word Gaura refers to Gauri, another name for Goddess Parvati, and there are more than one thousand eight hundred names of her in total. Gaura Parva commemorates Parvati's penance to win Shiva as her husband. It marks the divine marriage between the two deities, an event mentioned in the Himavat Khanda, a segment of the Skanda Purana in Hinduism and several other Puranas. In these accounts, Parvati, the daughter of the Himalaya, worships Shiva through strict fasting. Her devotion eventually results in their union, which devotees continue to celebrate every year. The Manas Khanda section of the Skanda Purana places Gaura's origins in the Himalayan region, specifically among communities in Kumaon, Uttarakhand, India. The festival is most prominently celebrated in Nepal across the far-western districts of Doti, Baitadi, Dadeldhura, Darchula, Bajhang, Achham, and Bajura. It falls in August or September, depending on the lunar calendar.

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#12698183

31 August 2025

A Nepali Hindu woman carries the symbolic idol of Goddess Parvati during a procession in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 31, 2025, to celebrate the late summer festival of ''Gaura,'' singing songs of faith and struggle. The festival, observed for five days and led primarily by women, has roots in ancient scriptures and centers on the worship of Goddess Gaura, also known as Hindu goddess Parvati, and her union with Lord Shiva. The word Gaura refers to Gauri, another name for Goddess Parvati, and there are more than one thousand eight hundred names of her in total. Gaura Parva commemorates Parvati's penance to win Shiva as her husband. It marks the divine marriage between the two deities, an event mentioned in the Himavat Khanda, a segment of the Skanda Purana in Hinduism and several other Puranas. In these accounts, Parvati, the daughter of the Himalaya, worships Shiva through strict fasting. Her devotion eventually results in their union, which devotees continue to celebrate every year. The Manas Khanda section of the Skanda Purana places Gaura's origins in the Himalayan region, specifically among communities in Kumaon, Uttarakhand, India. The festival is most prominently celebrated in Nepal across the far-western districts of Doti, Baitadi, Dadeldhura, Darchula, Bajhang, Achham, and Bajura. It falls in August or September, depending on the lunar calendar.

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#12698184

31 August 2025

Participants dance and narrate stories while celebrating the late summer festival of ''Gaura,'' singing songs of faith and struggle in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 31, 2025. The festival, observed for five days and led primarily by women, has roots in ancient scriptures and centers on the worship of Goddess Gaura, also known as the Hindu goddess Parvati, and her union with Lord Shiva. The word Gaura refers to Gauri, another name for Goddess Parvati, and there are more than one thousand eight hundred names for her in total. Gaura Parva commemorates Parvati's penance to win Shiva as her husband. It marks the divine marriage between the two deities, an event mentioned in the Himavat Khanda, a segment of the Skanda Purana in Hinduism and several other Puranas. In these accounts, Parvati, the daughter of the Himalaya, worships Shiva through strict fasting. Her devotion eventually results in their union, which devotees continue to celebrate every year. The Manas Khanda section of the Skanda Purana places Gaura's origins in the Himalayan region, specifically among communities in Kumaon, Uttarakhand, India. The festival is most prominently celebrated in Nepal across the far-western districts of Doti, Baitadi, Dadeldhura, Darchula, Bajhang, Achham, and Bajura. It falls in August or September, depending on the lunar calendar.

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#12698185

31 August 2025

Participants dance and narrate stories while celebrating the late summer festival of ''Gaura,'' singing songs of faith and struggle in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 31, 2025. The festival, observed for five days and led primarily by women, has roots in ancient scriptures and centers on the worship of Goddess Gaura, also known as the Hindu goddess Parvati, and her union with Lord Shiva. The word Gaura refers to Gauri, another name for Goddess Parvati, and there are more than one thousand eight hundred names for her in total. Gaura Parva commemorates Parvati's penance to win Shiva as her husband. It marks the divine marriage between the two deities, an event mentioned in the Himavat Khanda, a segment of the Skanda Purana in Hinduism and several other Puranas. In these accounts, Parvati, the daughter of the Himalaya, worships Shiva through strict fasting. Her devotion eventually results in their union, which devotees continue to celebrate every year. The Manas Khanda section of the Skanda Purana places Gaura's origins in the Himalayan region, specifically among communities in Kumaon, Uttarakhand, India. The festival is most prominently celebrated in Nepal across the far-western districts of Doti, Baitadi, Dadeldhura, Darchula, Bajhang, Achham, and Bajura. It falls in August or September, depending on the lunar calendar.

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#12698186

31 August 2025

A Nepali Hindu woman carries the symbolic idol of Goddess Parvati during a procession in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 31, 2025, to celebrate the late summer festival of ''Gaura,'' singing songs of faith and struggle. The festival, observed for five days and led primarily by women, has roots in ancient scriptures and centers on the worship of Goddess Gaura, also known as Hindu goddess Parvati, and her union with Lord Shiva. The word Gaura refers to Gauri, another name for Goddess Parvati, and there are more than one thousand eight hundred names of her in total. Gaura Parva commemorates Parvati's penance to win Shiva as her husband. It marks the divine marriage between the two deities, an event mentioned in the Himavat Khanda, a segment of the Skanda Purana in Hinduism and several other Puranas. In these accounts, Parvati, the daughter of the Himalaya, worships Shiva through strict fasting. Her devotion eventually results in their union, which devotees continue to celebrate every year. The Manas Khanda section of the Skanda Purana places Gaura's origins in the Himalayan region, specifically among communities in Kumaon, Uttarakhand, India. The festival is most prominently celebrated in Nepal across the far-western districts of Doti, Baitadi, Dadeldhura, Darchula, Bajhang, Achham, and Bajura. It falls in August or September, depending on the lunar calendar.

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#12678160

26 August 2025

Fasting Nepali Hindu women rest in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 26, 2025, while observing the festival of Teej. Women on this third day of the dark half of the lunar month that falls in the Nepali month of Bhadra observe fasting and wish for a prosperous life while observing the festival. The 'Teej' festival, also celebrated as 'Haritalika,' is observed in various parts of India. According to the 'Skanda Puran' (a religious scripture of the Hindus), this festival gets the name 'Haritalika Teej' as it was on this very day in the 'Satya Yug' (golden epoch of truth) that the daughter of the Himalayas, Parvati, is hidden by her maids because of her refusal to marry Lord Vishnu. A day before 'Teej,' on the night of the second day of the fortnight in the month of Bhadau, women enjoy a variety of delicious dishes known as 'Dar' at their parental home where they are especially invited for this purpose. The women on the day of 'Teej' are seen engrossed in jubilant dancing and singing in a carefree mood. Women put on bangles, 'Pote' (a necklace made of glass beads), 'Tilahari,' and 'Sindur' (crimson powder) considered symbols of good luck and dress themselves up in red saris or other red outfits and adorn themselves with different kinds of ornaments. Women in the morning take ritual baths and offer worship while in the evening they pay homage to Lord Shiva, light lamps, and spend the night awake.

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#12678161

26 August 2025

Fasting Nepali Hindu women dance in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 26, 2025, while observing the festival of Teej. Women on this third day of the dark half of the lunar month that falls in the Nepali month of Bhadra observe fasting and wish for a prosperous life while observing the festival. The 'Teej' festival, also celebrated as 'Haritalika,' is observed in various parts of India. According to the 'Skanda Puran' (a religious scripture of the Hindus), this festival gets the name 'Haritalika Teej' as it is on this very day in the 'Satya Yug' (golden epoch of truth) that the daughter of the Himalayas, Parvati, is hidden by her maids because of her refusal to marry Lord Vishnu. A day before 'Teej,' on the night of the second day of the fortnight in the month of Bhadau, women enjoy a variety of delicious dishes known as 'Dar' at their parental home where they are especially invited for this purpose. The women on the day of 'Teej' are seen engrossed in jubilant dancing and singing in a carefree mood. Women put on bangles, 'Pote' (a necklace made of glass beads), 'Tilahari,' and 'Sindur' (crimson powder) considered the symbols of good luck and dress themselves up in red saris or other red outfits and adorn themselves with different kinds of ornaments. Women in the morning take ritual baths and offer worship, while in the evening they pay homage to Lord Shiva, light lamps, and spend the night awake.

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#12678162

26 August 2025

Fasting Nepali Hindu women throng a Shiva Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 26, 2025, while observing the festival of Teej. Women on this third day of the dark half of the lunar month that falls in the Nepali month of Bhadra observe fasting and wish for a prosperous life while observing the festival. The 'Teej' festival, also celebrated as 'Haritalika,' is also observed in various parts of India. According to the 'Skanda Puran' (a religious scripture of the Hindus), this festival gets the name 'Haritalika Teej' as it is on this very day in the 'Satya Yug' (golden epoch of truth) that the daughter of the Himalayas, Parvati, is hidden by her maids because of her refusal to marry Lord Vishnu. A day before 'Teej,' on the night of the second day of the fortnight in the month of Bhadau, women enjoy a variety of delicious dishes known as 'Dar' at their parental home where they are especially invited for this purpose. The women on the day of 'Teej' are seen engrossed in jubilant dancing and singing in a carefree mood. Women put on bangles, 'Pote' (a necklace made of glass beads), 'Tilahari,' and 'Sindur' (crimson powder) considered the symbols of good luck and dress themselves up in red saris or other red outfits and adorn themselves with different kinds of ornaments. Women in the morning take ritual baths and offer worship while in the evening they pay homage to Lord Shiva, light lamps, and spend the night awake.

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#12678163

26 August 2025

Fasting Nepali Hindu women dance in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 26, 2025, while observing the festival of Teej. Women on this third day of the dark half of the lunar month that falls in the Nepali month of Bhadra observe fasting and wish for a prosperous life while observing the festival. The 'Teej' festival, also celebrated as 'Haritalika,' is observed in various parts of India. According to the 'Skanda Puran' (a religious scripture of the Hindus), this festival gets the name 'Haritalika Teej' as it is on this very day in the 'Satya Yug' (golden epoch of truth) that the daughter of the Himalayas, Parvati, is hidden by her maids because of her refusal to marry Lord Vishnu. A day before 'Teej,' on the night of the second day of the fortnight in the month of Bhadau, women enjoy a variety of delicious dishes known as 'Dar' at their parental home where they are especially invited for this purpose. The women on the day of 'Teej' are seen engrossed in jubilant dancing and singing in a carefree mood. Women put on bangles, 'Pote' (a necklace made of glass beads), 'Tilahari,' and 'Sindur' (crimson powder) considered the symbols of good luck and dress themselves up in red saris or other red outfits and adorn themselves with different kinds of ornaments. Women in the morning take ritual baths and offer worship, while in the evening they pay homage to Lord Shiva, light lamps, and spend the night awake.

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#12670251

24 August 2025

Buddhist devotees participate in rituals on the final day of Gunla, the sacred tenth month of the Nepal Sambat calendar, in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 24, 2025. Worshippers line up to offer prayers, circumambulate the Swayambhunath stupa, and perform devotional music with traditional instruments including dhime, bhusya, dha baja, and nya khin baja. The Gunla festival features early morning processions, scripture recitations, and prayers, honoring the teachings of Buddha and the tradition of the monastic rains retreat.

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#12670252

24 August 2025

Buddhist devotees participate in rituals on the final day of Gunla, the sacred tenth month of the Nepal Sambat calendar, in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 24, 2025. Worshippers line up to offer prayers, circumambulate the Swayambhunath stupa, and perform devotional music with traditional instruments including dhime, bhusya, dha baja, and nya khin baja. The Gunla festival features early morning processions, scripture recitations, and prayers, honoring the teachings of Buddha and the tradition of the monastic rains retreat.

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#12670253

24 August 2025

Buddhist devotees participate in rituals on the final day of Gunla, the sacred tenth month of the Nepal Sambat calendar, in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 24, 2025. Worshippers line up to offer prayers, circumambulate the Swayambhunath stupa, and perform devotional music with traditional instruments including dhime, bhusya, dha baja, and nya khin baja. The Gunla festival features early morning processions, scripture recitations, and prayers, honoring the teachings of Buddha and the tradition of the monastic rains retreat.

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#12670254

24 August 2025

Buddhist devotees participate in rituals on the final day of Gunla, the sacred tenth month of the Nepal Sambat calendar, in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 24, 2025. Worshippers line up to offer prayers, circumambulate the Swayambhunath stupa, and perform devotional music with traditional instruments including dhime, bhusya, dha baja, and nya khin baja. The Gunla festival features early morning processions, scripture recitations, and prayers, honoring the teachings of Buddha and the tradition of the monastic rains retreat.

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#12670255

24 August 2025

Buddhist devotees participate in rituals on the final day of Gunla, the sacred tenth month of the Nepal Sambat calendar, in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 24, 2025. Worshippers line up to offer prayers, circumambulate the Swayambhunath stupa, and perform devotional music with traditional instruments including dhime, bhusya, dha baja, and nya khin baja. The Gunla festival features early morning processions, scripture recitations, and prayers, honoring the teachings of Buddha and the tradition of the monastic rains retreat.

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