"Hindu scriptures"

#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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#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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#12627127

9 August 2025

A Nepali Hindu devotee changes the Janai on the embankments of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 9, 2025, while marking the festival of Janai Purnima. Janai Purnima is the festival of threads with ritualistic bathing and tying the sacred thread ''Rakshya Bandhan'' on the wrist and ''Janai'' across the body by Hindu devotees. According to the scriptures, the sacred thread worn across the body of Hindu devotees is believed to have emerged from the Yagya, a sacrificial rite or performance of duty. A person who wears this sacred thread is full of energy, and this thread has two parts, each containing three threads: the first is Bramha, the second is Bishnu, and the third is Lord Shiva. These are symbols of knowledge, meditation, and power. On the other side is nature, which is also considered the female companions of males: Saraswati of Bramha, Laxmi of Bishnu, and Parbati of Shiva. Those who do not wear Janai reach the nearby religious site and receive the 'Raksha Bandhan' thread, which is tied around the wrist as an amulet. The yellow thread is purified through the chanting of mantras by Brahmin priests as a symbol of protection from fear and disease. This sacred thread is made through the combination of 27 different types of threads. In astrology, there are 27 types of constellations, and the name of every human being is believed to be recorded in these constellations. This thread is tied around the wrist following the folklore about King Bali. Bali earns more virtue, which threatens the throne of King Indra. Then, Bramha ties the thread around the wrist, and it is followed since then in remembrance of Lord Bali.

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#12627128

9 August 2025

A Nepali Hindu devotee changes the Janai on the embankments of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 9, 2025, while marking the festival of Janai Purnima. Janai Purnima is the festival of threads with ritualistic bathing and tying the sacred thread ''Rakshya Bandhan'' on the wrist and ''Janai'' across the body by Hindu devotees. According to the scriptures, the sacred thread worn across the body of Hindu devotees is believed to have emerged from the Yagya, a sacrificial rite or performance of duty. A person who wears this sacred thread is full of energy, and this thread has two parts, each containing three threads: the first is Bramha, the second is Bishnu, and the third is Lord Shiva. These are symbols of knowledge, meditation, and power. On the other side is nature, which is also considered the female companions of males: Saraswati of Bramha, Laxmi of Bishnu, and Parbati of Shiva. Those who do not wear Janai reach the nearby religious site and receive the 'Raksha Bandhan' thread, which is tied around the wrist as an amulet. The yellow thread is purified through the chanting of mantras by Brahmin priests as a symbol of protection from fear and disease. This sacred thread is made through the combination of 27 different types of threads. In astrology, there are 27 types of constellations, and the name of every human being is believed to be recorded in these constellations. This thread is tied around the wrist following the folklore about King Bali. Bali earns more virtue, which threatens the throne of King Indra. Then, Bramha ties the thread around the wrist, and it is followed since then in remembrance of Lord Bali.

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#12627129

9 August 2025

A Nepali Hindu devotee changes the Janai on the embankments of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 9, 2025, while marking the festival of Janai Purnima. Janai Purnima is the festival of threads with ritualistic bathing and tying the sacred thread ''Rakshya Bandhan'' on the wrist and ''Janai'' across the body by Hindu devotees. According to the scriptures, the sacred thread worn across the body of Hindu devotees is believed to have emerged from the Yagya, a sacrificial rite or performance of duty. A person who wears this sacred thread is full of energy, and this thread has two parts, each containing three threads: the first is Bramha, the second is Bishnu, and the third is Lord Shiva. These are symbols of knowledge, meditation, and power. On the other side is nature, which is also considered the female companions of males: Saraswati of Bramha, Laxmi of Bishnu, and Parbati of Shiva. Those who do not wear Janai reach the nearby religious site and receive the 'Raksha Bandhan' thread, which is tied around the wrist as an amulet. The yellow thread is purified through the chanting of mantras by Brahmin priests as a symbol of protection from fear and disease. This sacred thread is made through the combination of 27 different types of threads. In astrology, there are 27 types of constellations, and the name of every human being is believed to be recorded in these constellations. This thread is tied around the wrist following the folklore about King Bali. Bali earns more virtue, which threatens the throne of King Indra. Then, Bramha ties the thread around the wrist, and it is followed since then in remembrance of Lord Bali.

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#12627130

9 August 2025

A Nepali Hindu devotee performs rituals on the embankments of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 9, 2025, while marking the festival of Janai Purnima. Janai Purnima is the festival of threads, involving a ritualistic bath and the tying of the sacred thread ''Rakshya Bandhan'' on the wrist and ''Janai'' across the body by Hindu devotees. According to the scriptures, the sacred thread worn across the body of Hindu devotees is believed to have emerged from the Yagya, a sacrificial rite or performance of duty. A person who wears this sacred thread is full of energy, and this thread has two parts, each containing three threads: the first is Bramha, the second is Bishnu, and the third is Lord Shiva. These are symbols of knowledge, meditation, and power. On the other side is nature, which is also considered the female companions of males: Saraswati of Bramha, Laxmi of Bishnu, and Parbati of Shiva. Those who do not wear Janai go to a nearby religious site and receive the 'Raksha Bandhan' thread, which is tied around the wrist as an amulet. The yellow thread is purified through the chanting of mantras by Brahmin priests as a symbol of protection from fear and disease. This sacred thread is made through the combination of 27 different types of threads. In astrology, there are 27 types of constellations, and the name of every human being is believed to be recorded in these constellations. This thread is tied around the wrist following the folklore about King Bali. Bali earns more virtue, which threatens the throne of King Indra. Then, Bramha ties the thread around the wrist, and it is followed since then in remembrance of Lord Bali.

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#12627131

9 August 2025

A Nepali Hindu devotee performs rituals on the embankments of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 9, 2025, while marking the festival of Janai Purnima. Janai Purnima is the festival of threads, involving a ritualistic bath and the tying of the sacred thread ''Rakshya Bandhan'' on the wrist and ''Janai'' across the body by Hindu devotees. According to the scriptures, the sacred thread worn across the body of Hindu devotees is believed to have emerged from the Yagya, a sacrificial rite or performance of duty. A person who wears this sacred thread is full of energy, and this thread has two parts, each containing three threads: the first is Bramha, the second is Bishnu, and the third is Lord Shiva. These are symbols of knowledge, meditation, and power. On the other side is nature, which is also considered the female companions of males: Saraswati of Bramha, Laxmi of Bishnu, and Parbati of Shiva. Those who do not wear Janai go to a nearby religious site and receive the 'Raksha Bandhan' thread, which is tied around the wrist as an amulet. The yellow thread is purified through the chanting of mantras by Brahmin priests as a symbol of protection from fear and disease. This sacred thread is made through the combination of 27 different types of threads. In astrology, there are 27 types of constellations, and the name of every human being is believed to be recorded in these constellations. This thread is tied around the wrist following the folklore about King Bali. Bali earns more virtue, which threatens the throne of King Indra. Then, Bramha ties the thread around the wrist, and it is followed since then in remembrance of Lord Bali.

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#12627138

9 August 2025

A Nepali Hindu devotee performs rituals on the embankments of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 9, 2025, while marking the festival of Janai Purnima. Janai Purnima is the festival of threads, involving a ritualistic bath and the tying of the sacred thread ''Rakshya Bandhan'' on the wrist and ''Janai'' across the body by Hindu devotees. According to the scriptures, the sacred thread worn across the body of Hindu devotees is believed to have emerged from the Yagya, a sacrificial rite or performance of duty. A person who wears this sacred thread is full of energy, and this thread has two parts, each containing three threads: the first is Bramha, the second is Bishnu, and the third is Lord Shiva. These are symbols of knowledge, meditation, and power. On the other side is nature, which is also considered the female companions of males: Saraswati of Bramha, Laxmi of Bishnu, and Parbati of Shiva. Those who do not wear Janai go to a nearby religious site and receive the 'Raksha Bandhan' thread, which is tied around the wrist as an amulet. The yellow thread is purified through the chanting of mantras by Brahmin priests as a symbol of protection from fear and disease. This sacred thread is made through the combination of 27 different types of threads. In astrology, there are 27 types of constellations, and the name of every human being is believed to be recorded in these constellations. This thread is tied around the wrist following the folklore about King Bali. Bali earns more virtue, which threatens the throne of King Indra. Then, Bramha ties the thread around the wrist, and it is followed since then in remembrance of Lord Bali.

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#12627132

9 August 2025

A Nepali Hindu devotee changes Janai on the embankments of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 9, 2025, while marking the festival of Janai Purnima. Janai Purnima is the festival of threads with ritualistic bathing and tying the sacred thread ''Rakshya Bandhan'' on the wrist and ''Janai'' across the body by Hindu devotees. According to the scriptures, the sacred thread worn across the body of Hindu devotees is believed to have emerged from the Yagya, a sacrificial rite or performance of duty. A person who wears this sacred thread is full of energy, and this thread has two parts, each containing three threads: the first is Bramha, the second is Bishnu, and the third is Lord Shiva. These are symbols of knowledge, meditation, and power. On the other side is nature, which is also considered the female companions of males: Saraswati of Bramha, Laxmi of Bishnu, and Parbati of Shiva. Those who do not wear Janai reach the nearby religious site and receive the 'Raksha Bandhan' thread, which is tied around the wrist as an amulet. The yellow thread is purified through the chanting of mantras by Brahmin priests as a symbol of protection from fear and disease. This sacred thread is made through the combination of 27 different types of threads. In astrology, there are 27 types of constellations, and the name of every human being is believed to be recorded in these constellations. This thread is tied around the wrist following the folklore about King Bali. Bali earned more virtue, which threatened the throne of King Indra. Then, Bramha tied the thread around the wrist, and it is followed since then in remembrance of Lord Bali.

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#12627133

9 August 2025

A Nepali Hindu devotee ties Rakshabandhan, a sacred thread worn across the wrist, on the embankments of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 9, 2025, while marking the festival of Janai Purnima. Janai Purnima is the festival of threads with ritualistic bathing and tying the sacred thread ''Rakshya Bandhan'' on the wrist and ''Janai'' across the body by Hindu devotees. According to the scriptures, the sacred thread worn across the body of Hindu devotees is believed to emerge from the Yagya, a sacrificial rite or performance of duty. A person who wears this sacred thread is full of energy, and this thread has two parts, each containing three threads: the first is Bramha, the second is Bishnu, and the third is Lord Shiva. These are symbols of knowledge, meditation, and power. On the other side is nature, which is also considered the female companions of males: Saraswati of Bramha, Laxmi of Bishnu, and Parbati of Shiva. Those who do not wear Janai reach the nearby religious site and receive the 'Raksha Bandhan' thread, which is tied around the wrist as an amulet. The yellow thread is purified through the chanting of mantras by Brahmin priests as a symbol of protection from fear and disease. This sacred thread is made through the combination of 27 different types of threads. In astrology, there are 27 types of constellations, and the name of every human being is believed to be recorded in these constellations. This thread is tied around the wrist following the folklore about King Bali. Bali earns more virtue, which threatens the throne of King Indra. Then, after Bramha ties the thread around the wrist, it is followed since then in remembrance of Lord Bali.

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#12627134

9 August 2025

A Nepali Hindu devotee ties Rakshabandhan, a sacred thread worn across the wrist, on the embankments of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 9, 2025, while marking the festival of Janai Purnima. Janai Purnima is the festival of threads with ritualistic bathing and tying the sacred thread ''Rakshya Bandhan'' on the wrist and ''Janai'' across the body by Hindu devotees. According to the scriptures, the sacred thread worn across the body of Hindu devotees is believed to emerge from the Yagya, a sacrificial rite or performance of duty. A person who wears this sacred thread is full of energy, and this thread has two parts, each containing three threads: the first is Bramha, the second is Bishnu, and the third is Lord Shiva. These are symbols of knowledge, meditation, and power. On the other side is nature, which is also considered the female companions of males: Saraswati of Bramha, Laxmi of Bishnu, and Parbati of Shiva. Those who do not wear Janai reach the nearby religious site and receive the 'Raksha Bandhan' thread, which is tied around the wrist as an amulet. The yellow thread is purified through the chanting of mantras by Brahmin priests as a symbol of protection from fear and disease. This sacred thread is made through the combination of 27 different types of threads. In astrology, there are 27 types of constellations, and the name of every human being is believed to be recorded in these constellations. This thread is tied around the wrist following the folklore about King Bali. Bali earns more virtue, which threatens the throne of King Indra. Then, after Bramha ties the thread around the wrist, it is followed since then in remembrance of Lord Bali.

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#12627135

9 August 2025

A Nepali Hindu devotee ties Rakshabandhan, a sacred thread worn across the wrist, on the embankments of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 9, 2025, while marking the festival of Janai Purnima. Janai Purnima is the festival of threads with ritualistic bathing and tying the sacred thread ''Rakshya Bandhan'' on the wrist and ''Janai'' across the body by Hindu devotees. According to the scriptures, the sacred thread worn across the body of Hindu devotees is believed to emerge from the Yagya, a sacrificial rite or performance of duty. A person who wears this sacred thread is full of energy, and this thread has two parts, each containing three threads: the first is Bramha, the second is Bishnu, and the third is Lord Shiva. These are symbols of knowledge, meditation, and power. On the other side is nature, which is also considered the female companions of males: Saraswati of Bramha, Laxmi of Bishnu, and Parbati of Shiva. Those who do not wear Janai reach the nearby religious site and receive the 'Raksha Bandhan' thread, which is tied around the wrist as an amulet. The yellow thread is purified through the chanting of mantras by Brahmin priests as a symbol of protection from fear and disease. This sacred thread is made through the combination of 27 different types of threads. In astrology, there are 27 types of constellations, and the name of every human being is believed to be recorded in these constellations. This thread is tied around the wrist following the folklore about King Bali. Bali earns more virtue, which threatens the throne of King Indra. Then, after Bramha ties the thread around the wrist, it is followed since then in remembrance of Lord Bali.

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