KATHMANDU, Feb 12: Today, on Magh Shukla Purnima, devotees will conclude the one-month-long Swasthani Vrata Katha. The ritual, which began on the full moon of Poush, will end as devotees wrap up their month-long fast.
Since Poush Shukla Purnima, fasting devotees across the country have offered daily prayers to Lord Mahadev and Parbati at noon. Today marks the conclusion of their ritual. The Skanda Purana’s Kedar Khand, which started on that day and detailed the dialogue between Kumar and Agastya in the Magh Mahatmya, will also conclude with the completion of the Swasthani Katha.
Devotees who have fasted for a month will offer 108 items, including betel nuts, betel leaves, fruits, incense, lights, Shrikhand, red sandalwood, vermilion, clothes, and donations to the Goddess in hopes of fulfilling their vows. They will submerge the offerings in a nearby holy river, intending to fulfil the wishes of eight married women, male children, or close family members.
Fasting devotees will eat 100 loaves of bread and stay awake through the night for the vigil. During this time, they will recite and listen to stories of the Goddess's glory, believing that this will fulfil their desires.
The word Swasthani means "the goddess of the place one resides in," and worshipping her is considered performing Swasthani Puja. The belief also holds that the period after Uttarayan, from Poush Shukla Purnima to Magh Shukla Purnima, is most suitable for Swasthani worship, ideal for meditation and yoga practices.
The Swasthani Goddess is described as golden-colored, three-eyed, smiling, seated on a lotus and throne, with four arms holding a blue lotus, a sword, a shield, and a boon-giving gesture. The text mentions that performing her ritual restores separated couples, heals diseases, and grants wishes to those seeking a partner.
The Swasthani Katha tells how Goddess Parvati performed the Swasthani Vrata under Vishnu’s guidance to win Lord Mahadev as her husband. After completing the fast, even separated serpents were reunited, according to the Katha.
The fast, taught by the seven Rishis to Brahmin Goma, is believed to have relieved the pain of losing a son. The story says that her son, Nawaraj Lavanya, later became the king of the present-day Sankhu region.
After midday today, devotees will perform the final rituals and complete their fast with prayers. They will submerge offerings in the Phoolpati River on Thursday morning, marking the conclusion of this year's Swasthani Vrata.
Dr Devmani Bhattarai, Head of the Department of Dharma Shastra at Nepal Sanskrit University and Member of the Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Samiti, confirmed that this marks the final part of the ritual.
Meanwhile, the Madhav Narayan Vrata, which began on Poush Shukla Purnima in the eastern Kathmandu valley, will also conclude today with an Ashwamedh Yajna. Around two hundred men and women have observed this stringent month-long fast. Today, the Newar community celebrates the day as Si Punhi.