KATHMANDU, Jan 31: Devotees observing the month-long rigorous Madhav Narayan fasting at the Shalinadi in Sankhu have returned after completing their four-day pilgrimage.
The pilgrimage began on Magh Krishna Trayodashi (the thirteenth day of the waning moon in the Nepali month of Magh). On the first day, devotees perform ‘sashtang dandawat’ (full-body prostrations) from Shalinadi to the Bajrayogini gate. On Magh Krishna Chaturdashi, they travel from Sankhu to Bajrayogini and Pashupatinath.
The following day, they move from Pashupatinath to Pharping, where they stay overnight. The next day, they travel back from Pharping to Sankhu. As per tradition, this journey concludes on Magh Shukla Pratipada (the first day of the waxing moon), and the devotees returned to Sankhu last night.
On Magh Shukla Tritiya, devotees travel from Sankhu to Panauti and stay overnight. The next day, they return to Sankhu. In Sankhu, the festivals of ‘Shree Panchami’ and ‘Laghla Saptami’ are celebrated. On Magh Shukla Navami, also known as Dron Navami, devotees are traditionally served ‘kheer’ (sweet rice pudding). On Magh Shukla Ekadashi, they embark on a pilgrimage to Changu Narayan, returning to Sankhu the following day, as per the ritual.
Designated meal stops during the pilgrimage
Specific locations are designated for meals during the pilgrimage. While traveling from Pashupatinath to Pharping, meals are taken at Sano Gaucharan. On the return journey from Pharping to Sankhu, devotees eat at Shankhamul. While returning from Panauti to Sankhu, the meal stop is at Bhokhusi, located between Banepa and Nala. Similarly, after visiting Changu Narayan, the meal stop is in Sankhu.
In Pictures: Madhav Narayan devotees visit Pashupatinath Temple
During the pilgrimage, devotees carry ‘chiura’ (beaten rice), ‘suntala’ (oranges), ‘chaku’ (molasses), ‘ghyu’ (clarified butter), sugar, ‘lapsi’ (Nepali hog plum), red radish, and ginger. According to local resident Jayaram Shrestha of Sankhu, if close relatives observe a fast and bring boiled milk for the devotees, it is considered permissible for them to drink. Volunteers accompany the devotees during the pilgrimage, and they must walk barefoot as part of the ritual.
The Madhav Narayan Swasthani Brata and Shalinadi Improvement Committee president, Bikashman Singh, said that the pilgrimage was successfully completed without any obstacles. He also mentioned that the Pashupati Area Development Trust, local residents, and other organizations contributed to the pilgrimage. The Panauti leg of the pilgrimage is scheduled for Saturday, according to the committee. Madhav Narayan fasting is one of the most rigorous religious observances, yet devotees have been practicing it with dedication for generations.
Shree swasthani brata katha as an incarnation of goddess gauri
The month-long observance of Shree Swasthani fasting and worship holds great religious significance. There is often curiosity about the identity of Shree Swasthani, with religious scholars identifying her as an incarnation of Goddess Gauri. The pilgrimage sites mentioned in the Swasthani scriptures are located in Nepal.
According to religious scholar Toyaraj Nepal, Swasthani Parameshwari is another form of Goddess Gauri. Therefore, worshiping Swasthani alongside Lord Sadashiva (Shiva) is equivalent to worshiping Shiva and Parvati together, as mentioned in various scriptures.
The Vedas, Shiva Purana, Devi Purana, Devi Bhagavata, and Mahabharata describe Goddess Sati, the daughter of Daksha Prajapati, as the first wife of Shiva. According to texts like Kalika Purana, Brihad Dharma Purana, and Tripura Rahasya, in the beginning, there was only the supreme divine consciousness. When the divine consciousness desired to engage in creation, its inherent energy, Para Shakti (divine feminine energy), manifested separately.
Shiva, the supreme consciousness, and Goddess Gauri, the embodiment of nature, were the first divine beings to emerge in their transcendental forms. Gauri was Shiva's first divine consort and engaged in various divine pastimes alongside him. Later, Daksha Prajapati began worshiping Goddess Gauri with intense devotion. At that time, Lord Shiva withdrew from the physical realm, and unable to find him, Goddess Gauri also dissolved her physical form and merged into the sky. This event is described in the scriptures as follows:
Then, as Goddess Gauri searched for Mahadeva (Shiva) everywhere, she became deeply sorrowful due to her separation from the supreme deity. Grieving intensely, she dissolved her physical form and became one with the sky. Meanwhile, Daksha Prajapati appeased Goddess Gauri through his penance. Pleased with his devotion, the divine Goddess, now without a physical form, granted him a boon. Daksha then requested that she be born as his daughter and reside in his household. Accepting his request, Goddess Gauri took birth as Daksha’s daughter, Sati."
Daksha Prajapati performed intense penance for many years to please Goddess Gauri. When the divine goddess, now in her celestial form, asked him to request a boon, Daksha prayed for her to be born as his daughter. Granting his wish, she took birth as Sati in Daksha’s house and later married Shiva.
When Daksha insulted Lord Shiva, Sati could not tolerate the disrespect toward her husband and sacrificed herself in the fire of the sacrificial altar. Since she willingly gave up her life for her husband out of deep devotion, the term ‘Sati’ became synonymous with devoted and virtuous wives. Even today, the term ‘Sati’ is used to refer to women who uphold unwavering faith and loyalty toward their husbands.
The phrase ‘Sati janu’ originated from this act of self-sacrifice, meaning a woman choosing death over living without her husband. After Sati's self-immolation, she was reborn as Parbati, the daughter of the Himalayas, and later married Shiva again, becoming his third wife.
Throughout different ages, Goddess Gauri, Shiva’s divine consort, has manifested in various forms, such as ‘Madhukaitabha Vinashini’, ‘Yogamaya’, ‘Mahishasuramardini’, and ‘Shumbha-Nishumbha Vinashini’, to perform divine acts for the welfare of the world, as mentioned in multiple Puranas.
According to religious scriptures, the Shree Swasthani mantra, when chanted with devotion and faith, helps absolve sins and fulfill desires. The scriptures encourage everyone to observe the Swasthani fasting and worship according to their capability, as it is believed to bring prosperity and well-being.
