"three-day-long festival"

#13004143

19 November 2025

A Nepali Hindu devotee floats live oil-fed lamps in the sacred Bagmati River in Kathmandu, Nepal, on November 19, 2025, during Bala Chaturdashi, a festival to give salvation to departed souls. In remembrance of beloved ones, Nepali Hindu devotees offer oil-fed lamps into the Bagmati River flowing through the premises of Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu on the day of Bala Chaturdashi. The live lamps float on the river, which is believed to lighten the world of departed souls in their afterlife. Devotees remain awake throughout the night, camping on the edge of the Bagmati River facing the Pashupatinath Temple. Rituals for Bala Chaturdashi start 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. The seven grains (also called Satbeej) include dhaan (rice), jau (barley), til (sesame), gahun (wheat), chana (chickpeas), makai (maize), and kaguno (foxtail millet). Devotees walk along Kailash-Suryaghat-Gaurighat-Aryaghat-Guhyeshwari-Mrigasthali-Bishworup-Kirateshwar-108 Shivalinga.

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#13004145

19 November 2025

A Nepali Hindu devotee floats live oil-fed lamps in the sacred Bagmati River in Kathmandu, Nepal, on November 19, 2025, during Bala Chaturdashi, a festival to give salvation to departed souls. In remembrance of beloved ones, Nepali Hindu devotees offer oil-fed lamps into the Bagmati River flowing through the premises of Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu on the day of Bala Chaturdashi. The live lamps float on the river, which is believed to lighten the world of departed souls in their afterlife. Devotees remain awake throughout the night, camping on the edge of the Bagmati River facing the Pashupatinath Temple. Rituals for Bala Chaturdashi start 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. The seven grains (also called Satbeej) include dhaan (rice), jau (barley), til (sesame), gahun (wheat), chana (chickpeas), makai (maize), and kaguno (foxtail millet). Devotees walk along Kailash-Suryaghat-Gaurighat-Aryaghat-Guhyeshwari-Mrigasthali-Bishworup-Kirateshwar-108 Shivalinga.

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#13004148

19 November 2025

A Nepali Hindu devotee floats live oil-fed lamps in the sacred Bagmati River in Kathmandu, Nepal, on November 19, 2025, during Bala Chaturdashi, a festival to give salvation to departed souls. In remembrance of beloved ones, Nepali Hindu devotees offer oil-fed lamps into the Bagmati River flowing through the premises of Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu on the day of Bala Chaturdashi. The live lamps float on the river, which is believed to lighten the world of departed souls in their afterlife. Devotees remain awake throughout the night, camping on the edge of the Bagmati River facing the Pashupatinath Temple. Rituals for Bala Chaturdashi start 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. The seven grains (also called Satbeej) include dhaan (rice), jau (barley), til (sesame), gahun (wheat), chana (chickpeas), makai (maize), and kaguno (foxtail millet). Devotees walk along Kailash-Suryaghat-Gaurighat-Aryaghat-Guhyeshwari-Mrigasthali-Bishworup-Kirateshwar-108 Shivalinga.

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#13004150

19 November 2025

A Nepali Hindu devotee floats live oil-fed lamps in the sacred Bagmati River in Kathmandu, Nepal, on November 19, 2025, during Bala Chaturdashi, a festival to give salvation to departed souls. In remembrance of beloved ones, Nepali Hindu devotees offer oil-fed lamps into the Bagmati River flowing through the premises of Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu on the day of Bala Chaturdashi. The live lamps float on the river, which is believed to lighten the world of departed souls in their afterlife. Devotees remain awake throughout the night, camping on the edge of the Bagmati River facing the Pashupatinath Temple. Rituals for Bala Chaturdashi start 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. The seven grains (also called Satbeej) include dhaan (rice), jau (barley), til (sesame), gahun (wheat), chana (chickpeas), makai (maize), and kaguno (foxtail millet). Devotees walk along Kailash-Suryaghat-Gaurighat-Aryaghat-Guhyeshwari-Mrigasthali-Bishworup-Kirateshwar-108 Shivalinga.

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#13004151

19 November 2025

A Nepali Hindu devotee floats live oil-fed lamps in the sacred Bagmati River in Kathmandu, Nepal, on November 19, 2025, during Bala Chaturdashi, a festival to give salvation to departed souls. In remembrance of beloved ones, Nepali Hindu devotees offer oil-fed lamps into the Bagmati River flowing through the premises of Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu on the day of Bala Chaturdashi. The live lamps float on the river, which is believed to lighten the world of departed souls in their afterlife. Devotees remain awake throughout the night, camping on the edge of the Bagmati River facing the Pashupatinath Temple. Rituals for Bala Chaturdashi start 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. The seven grains (also called Satbeej) include dhaan (rice), jau (barley), til (sesame), gahun (wheat), chana (chickpeas), makai (maize), and kaguno (foxtail millet). Devotees walk along Kailash-Suryaghat-Gaurighat-Aryaghat-Guhyeshwari-Mrigasthali-Bishworup-Kirateshwar-108 Shivalinga.

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#13004165

19 November 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees spread the ingredients of seven grains, locally called ''Satbeej,'' on the day of Bala Chaturdashi, a Hindu festival to give salvation to departed souls, in the premises of Pashupatinath Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kathmandu, Nepal, on November 19, 2025. The seven grains include dhaan (rice), jau (barley), til (sesame), gahun (wheat), chana (chickpeas), makai (maize), and kaguno (foxtail millet). Devotees walk along Kailash-Suryaghat-Gaurighat-Aryaghat-Guhyeshwari-Mrigasthali-Bishworup-Kirateshwar-108 Shivalinga. In remembrance of beloved ones, Nepali Hindu devotees offer oil-fed lamps into the Bagmati River flowing through the premises of Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu on the day of Bala Chaturdashi. The live lamps float on the river, which is believed to lighten the world of departed souls in their afterlife. Devotees remain awake throughout the night, camping on the edge of the Bagmati River facing the Pashupatinath Temple. Rituals for Bala Chaturdashi start 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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#13001835

18 November 2025

A Nepali Hindu devotee lights an oil-fed lamp, which they keep alive throughout the night and immerse in the river only on the day of the Bala Chaturdashi festival, a festival observed for the salvation of departed souls in Kathmandu, Nepal, on November 18, 2025. 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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#12886425

20 October 2025

Devotees from across Bangladesh gather at the Lalon Akhra in Cheuriya, Kushtia, Bangladesh, on October 17, 2025, to celebrate the 135th death anniversary of mystic bard Lalon Shah. Thousands of followers walk long distances to join the traditional three-day Lalon Festival, filling the grounds with songs, spiritual chants, and prayers. Bauls and devotees spend the days in meditation, music, and practicing Lalon's philosophy of love, equality, and humanity.

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#12886426

20 October 2025

Devotees from across Bangladesh gather at the Lalon Akhra in Cheuriya, Kushtia, Bangladesh, on October 17, 2025, to celebrate the 135th death anniversary of mystic bard Lalon Shah. Thousands of followers walk long distances to join the traditional three-day Lalon Festival, filling the grounds with songs, spiritual chants, and prayers. Bauls and devotees spend the days in meditation, music, and practicing Lalon's philosophy of love, equality, and humanity.

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#12886427

20 October 2025

Devotees from across Bangladesh gather at the Lalon Akhra in Cheuriya, Kushtia, Bangladesh, on October 17, 2025, to celebrate the 135th death anniversary of mystic bard Lalon Shah. Thousands of followers walk long distances to join the traditional three-day Lalon Festival, filling the grounds with songs, spiritual chants, and prayers. Bauls and devotees spend the days in meditation, music, and practicing Lalon's philosophy of love, equality, and humanity.

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#12886428

20 October 2025

Devotees from across Bangladesh gather at the Lalon Akhra in Cheuriya, Kushtia, Bangladesh, on October 17, 2025, to celebrate the 135th death anniversary of mystic bard Lalon Shah. Thousands of followers walk long distances to join the traditional three-day Lalon Festival, filling the grounds with songs, spiritual chants, and prayers. Bauls and devotees spend the days in meditation, music, and practicing Lalon's philosophy of love, equality, and humanity.

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#12886429

20 October 2025

Devotees from across Bangladesh gather at the Lalon Akhra in Cheuriya, Kushtia, Bangladesh, on October 17, 2025, to celebrate the 135th death anniversary of mystic bard Lalon Shah. Thousands of followers walk long distances to join the traditional three-day Lalon Festival, filling the grounds with songs, spiritual chants, and prayers. Bauls and devotees spend the days in meditation, music, and practicing Lalon's philosophy of love, equality, and humanity.

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#12886430

20 October 2025

Devotees from across Bangladesh gather at the Lalon Akhra in Cheuriya, Kushtia, Bangladesh, on October 17, 2025, to celebrate the 135th death anniversary of mystic bard Lalon Shah. Thousands of followers walk long distances to join the traditional three-day Lalon Festival, filling the grounds with songs, spiritual chants, and prayers. Bauls and devotees spend the days in meditation, music, and practicing Lalon's philosophy of love, equality, and humanity.

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#12886431

20 October 2025

Devotees from across Bangladesh gather at the Lalon Akhra in Cheuriya, Kushtia, Bangladesh, on October 17, 2025, to celebrate the 135th death anniversary of mystic bard Lalon Shah. Thousands of followers walk long distances to join the traditional three-day Lalon Festival, filling the grounds with songs, spiritual chants, and prayers. Bauls and devotees spend the days in meditation, music, and practicing Lalon's philosophy of love, equality, and humanity.

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#12886432

20 October 2025

Devotees from across Bangladesh gather at the Lalon Akhra in Cheuriya, Kushtia, Bangladesh, on October 17, 2025, to celebrate the 135th death anniversary of mystic bard Lalon Shah. Thousands of followers walk long distances to join the traditional three-day Lalon Festival, filling the grounds with songs, spiritual chants, and prayers. Bauls and devotees spend the days in meditation, music, and practicing Lalon's philosophy of love, equality, and humanity.

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#12886433

20 October 2025

A Baul singer performs as devotees from across Bangladesh gather at the Lalon Akhra in Cheuriya, Kushtia, Bangladesh, on October 17, 2025, to celebrate the 135th death anniversary of mystic bard Lalon Shah. Thousands of followers walk long distances to join the traditional three-day Lalon Festival, filling the grounds with songs, spiritual chants, and prayers. Bauls and devotees spend the days in meditation, music, and practicing Lalon's philosophy of love, equality, and humanity.

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