Month-long Swasthani Brata Katha begins today

(File: Devotees bathing, offering prayers, and offering water at Hanumante in Bhaktapur on the occasion of the commencement of a Month-long Swasthani Brata Katha fast. Bhaktapur, 28 January 2021. Photo: Roshan Sapkota-RSS)

KATHMANDU:- The Shree Swasthani Bratakatha, a popular month-long ritual of fasting and recitation of Swasthani script observed by the Hindus since Maagh Shuklapurnima kicked off today.

The month-long ritual and fast begin every year on the full moon day of Poush, the ninth month of the Nepali calendar, and ends on the full moon day of Magh, this month.

Women and men take holy dips in sacred rivers nearby and start Shree Swasthani Brata Katha across the country. During the festival period, devotees will throng Sali Nadi, or the Manohara River, in Sankhu, Kathmandu for a holy bath.

Those observing the fast recite the Shree Swasthani Brata Katha, which highlights the miracles of the goddess, in order to receive her blessings. The scripture also contains tales about Lord Shiva, Goddess Parbati, and other gods.