Hindu women in Nepal observe the colourful Swasthani Brata Katha festival
Unmarried Hindu women in Nepal are fasting for a month in the hope they will find a good husband. The ritual is also observed by married women to pray for their family's welfare.
The month-long Swasthani Brata Katha festival, which began on 5 January, is dedicated to the Hindu god Madhavnarayan and goddess Swasthani.
Every day for a month, devotees recite one chapter of a story about the gods and the miraculous feats they performed. Devotees also go on pilgrimages to various temples to take a holy dip in rivers, in freezing Himalayan winter weather.
In this gallery, we compile some of the most beautiful photographs of this year's festival.
![Swasthani Hindu festival Nepal Swasthani Hindu festival Nepal](https://d.ibtimes.co.uk/en/full/1420959/swasthani-hindu-festival-nepal.jpg)
![Swasthani Hindu festival Nepal Swasthani Hindu festival Nepal](https://d.ibtimes.co.uk/en/full/1420982/swasthani-hindu-festival-nepal.jpg)
![Swasthani Hindu festival Nepal Swasthani Hindu festival Nepal](https://d.ibtimes.co.uk/en/full/1420963/swasthani-hindu-festival-nepal.jpg)
![Swasthani Hindu festival Nepal Swasthani Hindu festival Nepal](https://d.ibtimes.co.uk/en/full/1420967/swasthani-hindu-festival-nepal.jpg)
![Swasthani Hindu festival Nepal Swasthani Hindu festival Nepal](https://d.ibtimes.co.uk/en/full/1420955/swasthani-hindu-festival-nepal.jpg)
![Swasthani Hindu festival Nepal Swasthani Hindu festival Nepal](https://d.ibtimes.co.uk/en/full/1420957/swasthani-hindu-festival-nepal.jpg)
![Swasthani Hindu festival Nepal Swasthani Hindu festival Nepal](https://d.ibtimes.co.uk/en/full/1420976/swasthani-hindu-festival-nepal.jpg)
![Swasthani Hindu festival Nepal Swasthani Hindu festival Nepal](https://d.ibtimes.co.uk/en/full/1420954/swasthani-hindu-festival-nepal.jpg)
![Swasthani Hindu festival Nepal Swasthani Hindu festival Nepal](https://d.ibtimes.co.uk/en/full/1420960/swasthani-hindu-festival-nepal.jpg)
![Swasthani Hindu festival Nepal Swasthani Hindu festival Nepal](https://d.ibtimes.co.uk/en/full/1420965/swasthani-hindu-festival-nepal.jpg)
![Swasthani Hindu festival Nepal Swasthani Hindu festival Nepal](https://d.ibtimes.co.uk/en/full/1420966/swasthani-hindu-festival-nepal.jpg)
![Swasthani Hindu festival Nepal Swasthani Hindu festival Nepal](https://d.ibtimes.co.uk/en/full/1421005/swasthani-hindu-festival-nepal.jpg)
© Copyright IBTimes 2024. All rights reserved.
Join the Discussion