• A devotee offers prayers by taking a dip on the final day of the month-long Swasthani festival in the Hanumante River at Bhaktapur, near Kathmandu.
    A devotee offers prayers by taking a dip on the final day of the month-long Swasthani festival in the Hanumante River at Bhaktapur, near Kathmandu.
  • A devotee waits to perform religious rituals during the Swasthani Bratakatha festival in the woods of Changu Narayan in Bhaktapur.
    A devotee waits to perform religious rituals during the Swasthani Bratakatha festival in the woods of Changu Narayan in Bhaktapur.
  • A devotee smiles, as he gets ready to perform religious rituals during the Swasthani Brata Katha festival in Kathmandu. During the month long festival, devotees go on pilgrimages to various temples, perform religious rituals, take a holy bath in the rivers and fast for a month, especially among women who believe fasting helps in their family’s well-being or in getting them a good husband.
    A devotee smiles, as he gets ready to perform religious rituals during the Swasthani Brata Katha festival in Kathmandu. During the month long festival, devotees go on pilgrimages to various temples, perform religious rituals, take a holy bath in the rivers and fast for a month, especially among women who believe fasting helps in their family’s well-being or in getting them a good husband.
  • During the Swasthani Brata Katha festival in Kathmandu.
    During the Swasthani Brata Katha festival in Kathmandu.
  • Devotees offer prayers by rolling on the street during the final day of the month-long Swasthani festival. A devotee, bottom right, also offers prayers at Sankhun, a town in the Kathmandu valley.
    Devotees offer prayers by rolling on the street during the final day of the month-long Swasthani festival. A devotee, bottom right, also offers prayers at Sankhun, a town in the Kathmandu valley.
  • During the festival, devotees recite one chapter of a Hindu tale daily from the 31-chapter sacred Swasthani Brata Katha book, that is dedicated to God Madhavnarayan and Goddess Swasthani, alongside various other gods and goddesses and the miraculous feats performed by them.
    During the festival, devotees recite one chapter of a Hindu tale daily from the 31-chapter sacred Swasthani Brata Katha book, that is dedicated to God Madhavnarayan and Goddess Swasthani, alongside various other gods and goddesses and the miraculous feats performed by them.
  • Rituals associated with the festival, which ended this week in Nepal, include ritual bathing and fasting, along with the telling of traditional folk stories.
    Rituals associated with the festival, which ended this week in Nepal, include ritual bathing and fasting, along with the telling of traditional folk stories.
  • Devotees offer prayer as they stand on the bank of the Hanumante River, during the final day of the month-long Swasthani festival, at Bhaktapur, near Kathmandu.
    Devotees offer prayer as they stand on the bank of the Hanumante River, during the final day of the month-long Swasthani festival, at Bhaktapur, near Kathmandu.

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A tale of spiritual revival in Nepal - in pictures

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The story of the Swasthani Brata Katha Festival is actually a series of stories. Told a chapter each day over the course of a month, it is a scripture devoted to the Hindu goddess Swasthani, who is said to grant wishes to the pure.

Rituals associated with the festival, which ended this week in Nepal, include ritual bathing and fasting, along with the telling of traditional folk stories.

Single women often take part, hoping that the goddess will find them a husband. Those already married wish for prosperity for their families. Others hope for peace.

The rituals begin with the full moon and last for 31 days. With temperatures in the low to mid teens in Kathmandu at this time of the year, a warming fire is essential to those who venture into the rivers and pools in search of their heart’s desire.

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