The locals of Bhaktapur bid farewell to Shree Swasthani Brata Katha, a yearly ritual among Nepali Hindus, on Wednesday amid several programs.
In Pictures: Shree Swasthani Brata Katha begins
Every year, the ritual begins on Poush Shuklapurnima (full moon day) and ends a month after on Magh Shuklapurnima as per the Nepali lunar calendar. Hari Suwal, a resident of Bhaktapur Municipality-4, said more than three dozen local people had gathered at Mangalthirtha and they observed fast to conclude the month-long story telling ritual by singing hymns.
Men and women gather at Hanumanghat of Bhakatapur since early morning and take holy dips on the river, read religious verses, and perform other rituals for an entire month. Likewise the devotees of Kathmandu gather at Sankhu to observe fast as per the ritual. During Swasthani Brata, married women observe fast for a whole month wishing for the wellbeing of their husbands, while unmarried ones wish for a fine husband.
