Shree Swasthani Brata Katha 2025 in Nepal

Shree Swasthani Bratakatha is a month-long Hindu festival celebrated in Nepal, dedicated to the goddess Swasthani. It begins on the full moon of Poush (December or January) and ends on the full moon of Magh (January or February). During this period, participants engage in fasting, rituals, and the recitation of the Swasthani Bratakatha, a sacred text that recounts stories about the goddess.

Beliefs

The festival centers on the belief that Swasthani and Lord Shiva grant blessings to the devoted, particularly those who observe the month-long fast. Women, who are the primary participants, fast and pray for family welfare and a suitable partner, while men participate to a lesser extent. Many believe that Swasthani’s blessings bring prosperity, health, and longevity to those who complete the ritual with purity and dedication.

Traditional Celebrations

Traditional practices include nightly family gatherings to read a chapter of the Swasthani Bratakatha and culminate in a ceremonial bath known as Maghesnan or Makarsnan, taken in sacred rivers for purification. Wearing red clothes is supposed to bring good luck. The festival concludes with an all-night worship called the Ashwamegha Yagya, dedicated to Shiva. Offerings, often prepared in 108 pieces, are distributed among family and friends or released in the river if recipients are unavailable.

Locations

Celebrations are especially significant in the Kathmandu Valley, where the festival is known as apsan chonegu in Nepal Bhasa and brata in Nepali. It is widely observed in Newar communities, including the areas of Sankhu, Bhaktapur, and Patan, and holds particular importance among women from specific Newar castes in these regions.