"arduous fasting"

#11994395

29 January 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees undergoing Swosthani Brata Katha perform rituals on the embankments of the Bagmati River as they begin ''Pardes Yatra'' from Pashupati in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 29, 2025. They travel about 13.5 kilometers on foot to Pashupatinath Temple as part of their first ''Pardes Yatra,'' which is a ritual performed during the month-long arduous Swosthani Brata (fasting). According to tradition, women undertaking the month-long Swosthani Brata travel to Narayan and Shiva temples inside and in other districts adjoining Kathmandu in groups. The fasting devotees, barefoot, reach Bajrayogini, Pashupatinath, Shesha Narayan of Pharping, Panauti, and Changunarayan, performing rituals. Devotees who 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 Swosthani Brata Katha starts from the full moon day of Poush (9th Month of the Lunar Calendar), initiating the recitation of the religious sermons.

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#11994396

29 January 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees undergoing Swosthani Brata Katha perform rituals on the embankments of the Bagmati River as they begin ''Pardes Yatra'' from Pashupati in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 29, 2025. They travel about 13.5 kilometers on foot to Pashupatinath Temple as part of their first ''Pardes Yatra,'' which is a ritual performed during the month-long arduous Swosthani Brata (fasting). According to tradition, women undertaking the month-long Swosthani Brata travel to Narayan and Shiva temples inside and in other districts adjoining Kathmandu in groups. The fasting devotees, barefoot, reach Bajrayogini, Pashupatinath, Shesha Narayan of Pharping, Panauti, and Changunarayan, performing rituals. Devotees who 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 Swosthani Brata Katha starts from the full moon day of Poush (9th Month of the Lunar Calendar), initiating the recitation of the religious sermons.

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#11994397

29 January 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees undergoing Swosthani Brata Katha perform rituals on the embankments of the Bagmati River as they begin ''Pardes Yatra'' from Pashupati in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 29, 2025. They travel about 13.5 kilometers on foot to Pashupatinath Temple as part of their first ''Pardes Yatra,'' which is a ritual performed during the month-long arduous Swosthani Brata (fasting). According to tradition, women undertaking the month-long Swosthani Brata travel to Narayan and Shiva temples inside and in other districts adjoining Kathmandu in groups. The fasting devotees, barefoot, reach Bajrayogini, Pashupatinath, Shesha Narayan of Pharping, Panauti, and Changunarayan, performing rituals. Devotees who 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 Swosthani Brata Katha starts from the full moon day of Poush (9th Month of the Lunar Calendar), initiating the recitation of the religious sermons.

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#11994398

29 January 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees undergoing Swosthani Brata Katha perform rituals on the embankments of the Bagmati River as they begin ''Pardes Yatra'' from Pashupati in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 29, 2025. They travel about 13.5 kilometers on foot to Pashupatinath Temple as part of their first ''Pardes Yatra,'' which is a ritual performed during the month-long arduous Swosthani Brata (fasting). According to tradition, women undertaking the month-long Swosthani Brata travel to Narayan and Shiva temples inside and in other districts adjoining Kathmandu in groups. The fasting devotees, barefoot, reach Bajrayogini, Pashupatinath, Shesha Narayan of Pharping, Panauti, and Changunarayan, performing rituals. Devotees who 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 Swosthani Brata Katha starts from the full moon day of Poush (9th Month of the Lunar Calendar), initiating the recitation of the religious sermons.

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#11994399

29 January 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees undergoing Swosthani Brata Katha perform rituals on the embankments of the Bagmati River as they begin ''Pardes Yatra'' from Pashupati in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 29, 2025. They travel about 13.5 kilometers on foot to Pashupatinath Temple as part of their first ''Pardes Yatra,'' which is a ritual performed during the month-long arduous Swosthani Brata (fasting). According to tradition, women undertaking the month-long Swosthani Brata travel to Narayan and Shiva temples inside and in other districts adjoining Kathmandu in groups. The fasting devotees, barefoot, reach Bajrayogini, Pashupatinath, Shesha Narayan of Pharping, Panauti, and Changunarayan, performing rituals. Devotees who 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 Swosthani Brata Katha starts from the full moon day of Poush (9th Month of the Lunar Calendar), initiating the recitation of the religious sermons.

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#11994400

29 January 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees watch the ritualistic performance of fasting Swosthani Brata keepers in Pashupati, Nepal, on January 29, 2025. The fasting devotees travel about 13.5 kilometers on foot to Pashupatinath Temple as part of their first ''Pardes Yatra,'' which is a ritual performed during the month-long arduous Swosthani Brata (fasting). According to tradition, women undertaking the month-long Swosthani Brata travel to Narayan and Shiva temples inside and in other districts adjoining Kathmandu in groups. The fasting devotees reach Bajrayogini, Pashupatinath, Shesha Narayan of Pharping, Panauti, and Changunarayan barefoot, performing rituals. Devotees who 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 Swosthani Brata Katha starts from the full moon day of Poush (9th Month of Lunar Calendar), initiating the recitation of the religious sermons.

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#11994401

29 January 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees watch the ritualistic performance of fasting Swosthani Brata keepers in Pashupati, Nepal, on January 29, 2025. The fasting devotees travel about 13.5 kilometers on foot to Pashupatinath Temple as part of their first ''Pardes Yatra,'' which is a ritual performed during the month-long arduous Swosthani Brata (fasting). According to tradition, women undertaking the month-long Swosthani Brata travel to Narayan and Shiva temples inside and in other districts adjoining Kathmandu in groups. The fasting devotees reach Bajrayogini, Pashupatinath, Shesha Narayan of Pharping, Panauti, and Changunarayan barefoot, performing rituals. Devotees who 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 Swosthani Brata Katha starts from the full moon day of Poush (9th Month of Lunar Calendar), initiating the recitation of the religious sermons.

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#11994402

29 January 2025

A Hindu devotee carries the idol of Lord Madhav Narayan and brings it down to the Bagmati River for a ritualistic bath in the Pashupati Temple premises in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 29, 2025. The fasting devotees travel about 13.5 kilometers on foot to Pashupatinath Temple as part of their first ''Pardes Yatra,'' which is a ritual performed during the month-long arduous Swasthani Brata (fasting). According to tradition, women undertaking the month-long Swosthani Brata travel to Narayan and Shiva temples inside and in other districts adjoining Kathmandu in groups. The fasting devotees, barefoot, reach Bajrayogini, Pashupatinath, Shesha Narayan of Pharping, Panauti, and Changunarayan, performing rituals. Devotees who 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 Swosthani Brata Katha starts from the full moon day of Poush (9th Month of the Lunar Calendar), initiating the recitation of the religious sermons.

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#11994403

29 January 2025

A Hindu devotee carries the idol of Lord Madhav Narayan and brings it down to the Bagmati River for a ritualistic bath in the Pashupati Temple premises in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 29, 2025. The fasting devotees travel about 13.5 kilometers on foot to Pashupatinath Temple as part of their first ''Pardes Yatra,'' which is a ritual performed during the month-long arduous Swasthani Brata (fasting). According to tradition, women undertaking the month-long Swosthani Brata travel to Narayan and Shiva temples inside and in other districts adjoining Kathmandu in groups. The fasting devotees, barefoot, reach Bajrayogini, Pashupatinath, Shesha Narayan of Pharping, Panauti, and Changunarayan, performing rituals. Devotees who 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 Swosthani Brata Katha starts from the full moon day of Poush (9th Month of the Lunar Calendar), initiating the recitation of the religious sermons.

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#11994404

29 January 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees undergoing Swosthani Brata Katha rituals stand on the embankments of the Bagmati River to prepare a ritualistic bath as they begin ''Pardes Yatra'' from Pashupati in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 29, 2025. They travel about 13.5 kilometers on foot to Pashupatinath Temple as part of their first ''Pardes Yatra,'' which is a part of the ritual performed while undergoing the month-long arduous Swosthani Brata (fasting). According to tradition, women undertaking the month-long Swosthani Brata travel to Narayan and Shiva temples inside and in other districts adjoining Kathmandu in groups. The fasting devotees, barefoot, reach Bajrayogini, Pashupatinath, Shesha Narayan of Pharping, Panauti, and Changunarayan, performing rituals. Devotees who 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 Swosthani Brata Katha starts from the full moon day of Poush (9th Month of the Lunar Calendar), initiating the recitation of the religious sermons.

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#11994405

29 January 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees undergoing Swosthani Brata Katha rituals stand on the embankments of the Bagmati River to prepare a ritualistic bath as they begin ''Pardes Yatra'' from Pashupati in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 29, 2025. They travel about 13.5 kilometers on foot to Pashupatinath Temple as part of their first ''Pardes Yatra,'' which is a part of the ritual performed while undergoing the month-long arduous Swosthani Brata (fasting). According to tradition, women undertaking the month-long Swosthani Brata travel to Narayan and Shiva temples inside and in other districts adjoining Kathmandu in groups. The fasting devotees, barefoot, reach Bajrayogini, Pashupatinath, Shesha Narayan of Pharping, Panauti, and Changunarayan, performing rituals. Devotees who 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 Swosthani Brata Katha starts from the full moon day of Poush (9th Month of the Lunar Calendar), initiating the recitation of the religious sermons.

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#11994406

29 January 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees undergoing Swosthani Brata Katha rituals stand on the embankments of the Bagmati River to prepare a ritualistic bath as they begin ''Pardes Yatra'' from Pashupati in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 29, 2025. They travel about 13.5 kilometers on foot to Pashupatinath Temple as part of their first ''Pardes Yatra,'' which is a part of the ritual performed while undergoing the month-long arduous Swosthani Brata (fasting). According to tradition, women undertaking the month-long Swosthani Brata travel to Narayan and Shiva temples inside and in other districts adjoining Kathmandu in groups. The fasting devotees, barefoot, reach Bajrayogini, Pashupatinath, Shesha Narayan of Pharping, Panauti, and Changunarayan, performing rituals. Devotees who 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 Swosthani Brata Katha starts from the full moon day of Poush (9th Month of the Lunar Calendar), initiating the recitation of the religious sermons.

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#11994407

29 January 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees undergoing Swosthani Brata Katha rituals stand on the embankments of the Bagmati River to prepare a ritualistic bath as they begin ''Pardes Yatra'' from Pashupati in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 29, 2025. They travel about 13.5 kilometers on foot to Pashupatinath Temple as part of their first ''Pardes Yatra,'' which is a part of the ritual performed while undergoing the month-long arduous Swosthani Brata (fasting). According to tradition, women undertaking the month-long Swosthani Brata travel to Narayan and Shiva temples inside and in other districts adjoining Kathmandu in groups. The fasting devotees, barefoot, reach Bajrayogini, Pashupatinath, Shesha Narayan of Pharping, Panauti, and Changunarayan, performing rituals. Devotees who 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 Swosthani Brata Katha starts from the full moon day of Poush (9th Month of the Lunar Calendar), initiating the recitation of the religious sermons.

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#11994408

29 January 2025

A Hindu devotee carries the idol of Lord Madhav Narayan and brings it down to the Bagmati River for a ritualistic bath in the Pashupati Temple premises in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 29, 2025. The fasting devotees travel about 13.5 kilometers on foot to Pashupatinath Temple as part of their first ''Pardes Yatra,'' which is a ritual performed during the month-long arduous Swasthani Brata (fasting). According to tradition, women undertaking the month-long Swosthani Brata travel to Narayan and Shiva temples inside and in other districts adjoining Kathmandu in groups. The fasting devotees, barefoot, reach Bajrayogini, Pashupatinath, Shesha Narayan of Pharping, Panauti, and Changunarayan, performing rituals. Devotees who 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 Swosthani Brata Katha starts from the full moon day of Poush (9th Month of the Lunar Calendar), initiating the recitation of the religious sermons.

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#11994409

29 January 2025

A Nepali Hindu devotee bathes the idol of Lord Madhav Narayan in the Bagmati River for a ritualistic bath in the Pashupati Temple premises in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 29, 2025. The fasting devotees travel about 13.5 kilometers on foot to Pashupatinath Temple as part of their first ''Pardes Yatra,'' which is a ritual performed during the month-long arduous Swasthani Brata (fasting). According to tradition, women undertaking the month-long Swosthani Brata travel in groups to Narayan and Shiva temples inside and in other districts adjoining Kathmandu. The fasting devotees reach Bajrayogini, Pashupatinath, Shesha Narayan of Pharping, Panauti, and Changunarayan barefoot, performing rituals. Devotees who fast for a month do not eat foods cooked by others, excluding 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 Swosthani Brata Katha starts from the full moon day of Poush (9th Month of the Lunar Calendar), initiating the recitation of religious sermons.

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#11994410

29 January 2025

A Nepali Hindu devotee bathes the idol of Lord Madhav Narayan in the Bagmati River for a ritualistic bath in the Pashupati Temple premises in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 29, 2025. The fasting devotees travel about 13.5 kilometers on foot to Pashupatinath Temple as part of their first ''Pardes Yatra,'' which is a ritual performed during the month-long arduous Swasthani Brata (fasting). According to tradition, women undertaking the month-long Swosthani Brata travel in groups to Narayan and Shiva temples inside and in other districts adjoining Kathmandu. The fasting devotees reach Bajrayogini, Pashupatinath, Shesha Narayan of Pharping, Panauti, and Changunarayan barefoot, performing rituals. Devotees who fast for a month do not eat foods cooked by others, excluding 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 Swosthani Brata Katha starts from the full moon day of Poush (9th Month of the Lunar Calendar), initiating the recitation of religious sermons.

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