"A Nepali Hindu is taking a bath in a sacred pond at Matatirt..."

#12627116

9 August 2025

A Nepali novice priest soaks himself in the sun after taking part in a ritualistic bath at an ashram in the premises of Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 9, 2025, while observing the festival of Janai Purnima, the festival of sacred threads observed in Nepal and India. Janai Purnima, the festival of threads, involves 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 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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#12627125

9 August 2025

Nepali novice priests perform rituals after taking part in a ritualistic bath at an Ashram in the premises of Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 9, 2025, while observing the festival of Janai Purnima, the festival of sacred threads observed in Nepal and India. Janai Purnima, the festival of threads, involves 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 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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#12627124

9 August 2025

Nepali novice priests soak in the sun after taking part in a ritualistic bath at an ashram in the premises of Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 9, 2025, while observing the festival of Janai Purnima, the festival of sacred threads observed in Nepal and India. 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 the 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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#12307446

27 April 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees perform rituals by taking a sacred bath in the Mata Tirtha pond located in a hill station on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, on April 27, 2025, while observing Mata Tirtha Aunsi, or Nepali Mother's Day. Mata Tirtha Aunsi, a festival for mothers, falls in the Nepali first month Baisakh (end of April/early May) when thousands of devotees climb the hill to reach the sacred pond and offer prayers. As a tradition, offspring wake up early in the morning, take a bath, and worship their mothers by giving presents and goodies. Those who do not have their mothers visit Matatirtha in Chandragiri Municipality to pay tribute to the departed souls of their mothers. Upon reaching the sacred Matatirtha pond, devotees take a holy dip and observe the day by offering alms to the poor. According to legends, during the rule of cowherds in Nepal, one of the cowherds lost his mother and was so depressed that he went to make offerings at a water storage pond in the forest. Amazingly, he saw his mother's face appear in the water and accept his offerings. From that day on, this day is known as Mata Tirtha Aunsi, the Nepali Mother's Day. People believe that coming to this place and paying homage on this day brings peace to the departed soul of their mother.

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#11492198

19 August 2024

A Nepali Hindu devotee is performing rituals on the day of Janai Purnima on the embankments of Bagmati River in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 19, 2024. The festival of Janai Purnima is being observed annually on Shrawan Shukla Purnima, coinciding this year with the Janaipurnima and Rishi Tarpani festivals. Celebrated nationwide, these events are featuring the wearing of the Janai (sacred thread) and Raakhi (Rakshabandhan). Hundreds of adherents of Vedic Sanatan Dharma are thronging the Bagmati embankment, taking dips, and tying the Rakshasutra (sacred thread) with the guidance of their Guru. Brahmin priests, adhering to the Vedic traditions, are performing chants, penance, and worship while tying the Rakshasutra on the right wrist of the devotee. It is a widely held belief that wearing the Janai and Rakshasutra, properly chanted and blessed by the priest, offers protection from negative influences.

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#11492201

19 August 2024

A Nepali Hindu devotee is performing rituals on the day of Janai Purnima on the embankments of Bagmati River in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 19, 2024. The festival of Janai Purnima is being observed annually on Shrawan Shukla Purnima, coinciding this year with the Janaipurnima and Rishi Tarpani festivals. Celebrated nationwide, these events are featuring the wearing of the Janai (sacred thread) and Raakhi (Rakshabandhan). Hundreds of adherents of Vedic Sanatan Dharma are thronging the Bagmati embankment, taking dips, and tying the Rakshasutra (sacred thread) with the guidance of their Guru. Brahmin priests, adhering to the Vedic traditions, are performing chants, penance, and worship while tying the Rakshasutra on the right wrist of the devotee. It is a widely held belief that wearing the Janai and Rakshasutra, properly chanted and blessed by the priest, offers protection from negative influences.

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#11218526

8 May 2024

A Nepali Hindu is taking a bath in a sacred pond at Matatirtha on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, on Mother's Day, locally known as Mata Tirtha Aunsi, on May 8, 2023. Sons and daughters are flocking to the sacred pond, which is situated on the slope of hills surrounding Kathmandu, to commemorate their deceased mothers. They believe that making offerings and taking dips in the pond will bring salvation to the souls of their departed mothers.

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#11218528

8 May 2024

A Nepali Hindu is taking a bath in a sacred pond at Matatirtha on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, on Mother's Day, locally known as Mata Tirtha Aunsi, on May 8, 2023. Sons and daughters are flocking to the sacred pond, which is situated on the slope of hills surrounding Kathmandu, to commemorate their deceased mothers. They believe that making offerings and taking dips in the pond will bring salvation to the souls of their departed mothers.

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#11218529

8 May 2024

A Nepali Hindu is taking a bath in a sacred pond, Matatirtha, on the outskirts of Kathmandu, on Mother's Day, locally known as Mata Tirtha Aunsi, in Kathmandu, Nepal, on May 8, 2023. Sons and daughters are flocking to the sacred pond that lies on the slope of hills surrounding Kathmandu to commemorate their deceased mothers. They believe that making offerings and taking dips in the pond will bring salvation to the souls of their departed mothers.

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#11218530

8 May 2024

A Nepali Hindu is taking a bath in a sacred pond, Matatirtha, on the outskirts of Kathmandu, on Mother's Day, locally known as Mata Tirtha Aunsi, in Kathmandu, Nepal, on May 8, 2023. Sons and daughters are flocking to the sacred pond that lies on the slope of hills surrounding Kathmandu to commemorate their deceased mothers. They believe that making offerings and taking dips in the pond will bring salvation to the souls of their departed mothers.

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#11218531

8 May 2024

A Nepali Hindu is taking a bath in a sacred pond, Matatirtha, on the outskirts of Kathmandu, on Mother's Day, locally known as Mata Tirtha Aunsi, in Kathmandu, Nepal, on May 8, 2023. Sons and daughters are flocking to the sacred pond that lies on the slope of hills surrounding Kathmandu to commemorate their deceased mothers. They believe that making offerings and taking dips in the pond will bring salvation to the souls of their departed mothers.

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#11218532

8 May 2024

A Nepali Hindu is taking a bath in a sacred pond at Matatirtha on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, on Mother's Day, locally known as Mata Tirtha Aunsi, on May 8, 2023. Sons and daughters are flocking to the sacred pond, which is situated on the slope of hills surrounding Kathmandu, to commemorate their deceased mothers. They believe that making offerings and taking dips in the pond will bring salvation to the souls of their departed mothers.

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#11021025

24 February 2024

A Nepali Hindu devotee is taking a bath in the sacred Salinadi river on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 24, 2024, marking the final day of the Swosthani Brata Katha. This month-long observance involves following a strict set of rules while recounting a tale of devotion and the fulfillment of wishes.

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#11021027

24 February 2024

A Nepali Hindu devotee is taking a bath in the sacred Salinadi river on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 24, 2024, marking the final day of the Swosthani Brata Katha. This month-long observance involves following a strict set of rules while recounting a tale of devotion and the fulfillment of wishes.

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#11021026

24 February 2024

Nepali Hindu devotees are taking a bath in the sacred Salinadi river, a religious site on the outskirts of the Nepali capital Kathmandu, on February 24, 2024. They are observing the final day of the Swosthani Brata Katha, which is a month-long ritual that involves following a strict set of rules and is believed to lead to the fulfillment of wishes through devotion.

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#11021032

24 February 2024

Nepali Hindu devotees are taking a bath in the sacred Salinadi river, a religious site on the outskirts of the Nepali capital Kathmandu, on February 24, 2024, on the final day of Swosthani Brata Katha. They are observing a month-long ritual, the arduous Swosthani Brata Katha, which involves following a strict set of rules and is believed to lead to the fulfillment of wishes through devotion.

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