Shree Swasthani Bratakatha is a month-long festival celebrated in Nepal. It involves Brata, or fasting, for married and unmarried women. Wearing red clothes is supposed to bring good luck. The festival culminates with Maghesnan or Makarsnan, a holy bath taken by devotees in large numbers.
Being of Hindu origin, the festival is focused on the miracles created by Shiva and Swasthani. The gods are believed to grant wishes to the pure. Therefore, for a month period, people pray and participate in mass bathing outdoors. The festival is believed to be especially important to females who wish for family welfare or a good husband. Males also participate, yet they are much fewer.
Festivities take place during the month of Poush, which usually falls in the winter months. Namely, Shree Swasthani Bratakatha begins on the full-moon of Poush and finishes on the full-moon of Magh. The rituals takes place on the river banks in various Hindu shrines across the country. Some of the most famous places to witness the festivities are around the capital city of Kathmandu, namely Pashupatinath Temple, Sali Nadi Temple in Sankhu, Bhaktapur, and others.
