"religious fasting"

#13001805

18 November 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees flock to the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, on November 18, 2025, on the eve of the Bala Chaturdashi festival, a festival observed for the salvation of departed souls. The devotees camp to stay awake throughout the night, taking care of the lamps on the eve of Bala Chaturdashi, performing this ritual for the salvation of the souls of deceased ones. The festival of Bala Chaturdashi starts from Marga Krishna Trayodashi, the 13th day of the waning moon in the month of Mangsir (8th month according to the Nepali calendar). Devotees who observe this ritual maintain strict fasting, with only one meal that day, and abstain from garlic, onions, fish, eggs, and other food items that are said to be impure. In the evening, they reach the Pashupatinath temple or shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and chant hymns and prayers to Lord Shiva all night long. They light ''Akhanda Jyoti'' in the name of the deceased souls of their families. The next morning, Marga Krishna Chaturdashi, they take a holy bath and start their journey around the Pashupatinath temple premises, spreading seven kinds of grains along the way.

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#13001824

18 November 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees flock to the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, on November 18, 2025, on the eve of the Bala Chaturdashi festival, a festival observed for the salvation of departed souls. The devotees camp to stay awake throughout the night, taking care of the lamps on the eve of Bala Chaturdashi, performing this ritual for the salvation of the souls of deceased ones. The festival of Bala Chaturdashi starts from Marga Krishna Trayodashi, the 13th day of the waning moon in the month of Mangsir (8th month according to the Nepali calendar). Devotees who observe this ritual maintain strict fasting, with only one meal that day, and abstain from garlic, onions, fish, eggs, and other food items that are said to be impure. In the evening, they reach the Pashupatinath temple or shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and chant hymns and prayers to Lord Shiva all night long. They light ''Akhanda Jyoti'' in the name of the deceased souls of their families. The next morning, Marga Krishna Chaturdashi, they take a holy bath and start their journey around the Pashupatinath temple premises, spreading seven kinds of grains along the way.

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#12964392

8 November 2025

Hindu devotees sit together in front of oil lamps and pray to Shri Shri Loknath Brahmachari, a Hindu saint and philosopher, as they observe the Rakher Upobash festival at a temple in Kolkata, India, on November 8, 2025.

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#12964394

8 November 2025

Hindu devotees sit together in front of oil lamps and pray to Shri Shri Loknath Brahmachari, a Hindu saint and philosopher, as they observe the Rakher Upobash festival at a temple in Kolkata, India, on November 8, 2025.

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#12964395

8 November 2025

Hindu devotees sit together in front of oil lamps and pray to Shri Shri Loknath Brahmachari, a Hindu saint and philosopher, as they observe the Rakher Upobash festival at a temple in Kolkata, India, on November 8, 2025.

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#12964404

8 November 2025

Hindu devotees sit together in front of oil lamps and pray to Shri Shri Loknath Brahmachari, a Hindu saint and philosopher, as they observe the Rakher Upobash festival at a temple in Kolkata, India, on November 8, 2025.

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#12964406

8 November 2025

Hindu devotees sit together in front of oil lamps and pray to Shri Shri Loknath Brahmachari, a Hindu saint and philosopher, as they observe the Rakher Upobash festival at a temple in Kolkata, India, on November 8, 2025.

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#12964408

8 November 2025

Hindu devotees sit together in front of oil lamps and pray to Shri Shri Loknath Brahmachari, a Hindu saint and philosopher, as they observe the Rakher Upobash festival at a temple in Kolkata, India, on November 8, 2025.

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#12964422

8 November 2025

Hindu devotees sit together in front of oil lamps and pray to Shri Shri Loknath Brahmachari, a Hindu saint and philosopher, as they observe the Rakher Upobash festival at a temple in Kolkata, India, on November 8, 2025.

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#12964424

8 November 2025

Hindu devotees sit together in front of oil lamps and pray to Shri Shri Loknath Brahmachari, a Hindu saint and philosopher, as they observe the Rakher Upobash festival at a temple in Kolkata, India, on November 8, 2025.

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#12964397

8 November 2025

Hindu devotees sit together in front of oil lamps and pray to Shri Shri Loknath Brahmachari, a Hindu saint and philosopher, as they observe the Rakher Upobash festival at a temple in Kolkata, India, on November 8, 2025.

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#12964398

8 November 2025

Hindu devotees sit together in front of oil lamps and pray to Shri Shri Loknath Brahmachari, a Hindu saint and philosopher, as they observe the Rakher Upobash festival at a temple in Kolkata, India, on November 8, 2025.

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#12918512

28 October 2025

Hindu women perform rituals during the religious festival of Chhath Puja in Kolkata, India, on October 28, 2025.

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#12918513

28 October 2025

Hindu women perform rituals during the religious festival of Chhath Puja in Kolkata, India, on October 28, 2025.

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#12918499

28 October 2025

Hindu devotees prepare offerings as they worship the Sun God during the Hindu religious festival of Chhath Puja in Kolkata, India, on October 28, 2025.

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#12918500

28 October 2025

Hindu devotees prepare offerings as they worship the Sun God during the Hindu religious festival of Chhath Puja in Kolkata, India, on October 28, 2025.

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