Shree Swasthani Bratakatha Festival Begins with Devotion and Fasting Across Nepal

The Shree Swasthani Bratakatha, a revered month-long festival of fasting, prayer, and scripture recitation, officially commenced today, marking the beginning of a significant Hindu tradition observed since Poush Shuklapurnima. This ritual, which spans from one full moon day to the next, holds special importance for Nepali Hindus, particularly women, as they engage in spiritual devotion to Goddess Swasthani.

The festival involves the recitation of the sacred Swasthani scripture, a holy text that narrates the divine stories of Goddess Swasthani, Lord Shiva, and various other deities. As part of the rituals, devotees, both married and unmarried, begin the day with a holy bath, followed by the donning of clean clothes, trimming of nails, and offering prayers. They then read from the Swasthani scripture and consume austere meals in the afternoon throughout the duration of the month.

A central aspect of the festival is fasting and extensive worship, which devotees believe will bring blessings. The Skanda Purana describes Goddess Swasthani as a four-armed deity holding a Chakra, Trident, Lotus, and Sword, a powerful symbol of protection and prosperity in Hindu beliefs.

The festival is particularly meaningful for women. It is believed that married women who observe the fast will be blessed with the longevity of their spouses, while unmarried women are believed to receive blessings for finding suitable marriage partners. Throughout the month, women typically wear red clothes and bangles, as the color red is considered auspicious and brings good luck.

Devotees across Nepal, including those from Kathmandu, are gathering at sacred riversides and Hindu shrines to perform the rituals. One such location is the Shalinadi River in Shankhu, located on the northeastern outskirts of the Kathmandu Valley, where hundreds of devotees have already arrived to observe the first day of the festival.
The Shree Swasthani Bratakatha is a deeply spiritual event, drawing thousands of devotees who seek blessings, spiritual growth, and fulfillment of their wishes as they engage in devotion and reflection during this sacred month.