Hindus across Nepal witnessed the celebration the annual Madhav Narayan festival at Thecho, Lalitpur on January 28, 2018.<\/p>\n
The festival that begins with the start of full moon in the month of Poush, the ninth month according to Nepali calendar, commenced on January 03, 2018 this year.<\/p>\n
As part of the tradition, devotees take dips in holy waters during the festival as a tribute to Goddess Swasthani.<\/p>\n
Marking the commencement of the festival, a large number of Hindu devotees thronged at Hanumante River in Bhaktapur on January 03, 2018.<\/p>\n
As part of a special custom, young boys dressed in traditional attire take part in a long procession around the town with oil lamps on head, hands and shoulders.<\/p>\n
Devotees also recite holy scriptures and also sing songs dedicated to Hindu deities Shiva and Swasthani.<\/p>\n
As part of the rituals, women pray for the longevity of their husbands by observing fasts all through the month. \u2018<\/p>\n
The 30-day-long fast is called Brata <\/em>in Newari and Nepali languages, and only involves a combination of grains used for the festival.<\/p>\n Finally, the festival concludes with the Ashwamegha Yagya, where devotees offer prayers to Lord Shiva throughout the night.<\/p>\n On this special day, offerings such as sweets and flowers, among others are presented in 108 pieces and distributed among male members of the family or immersed in holy waters.<\/p>\n Also known as the Swasthani Brata Katha festival, the festival usually falls during January-February and ends on the full moon day.<\/p>\n This month-long annual Nepali festival is dedicated to Lord Madhav Narayan or Goddess Shree Swasthani.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Hindus across Nepal witnessed the celebration the annual Madhav Narayan festival at Thecho, Lalitpur on January…<\/span><\/p>\n