KATHMANDU: The Shree Madhav Narayan Swasthani fast and fair, observed ritualistically from Paush Shukla Purnima to Magh Shukla Purnima, began on Saturday.
From the very first day, a large number of devotees were seen gathering at the Shalinadi area in Sankhu, under Shankharapur Municipality, a site of ancient religious and mythological significance.
The Swasthani Barta Katha, observed for a full month by followers of the Vedic Sanatan Hindu tradition through prescribed rituals in households, formally commenced today. Along with the fast, the traditional recitation and listening of the Swasthani Katha also began. The narration is based on the dialogue between sages Kumar and Agastya, as described in the Kedarkhanda section of the Skanda Purana, specifically in the Magh Mahatmya.
The fast begins on Paush Shukla Purnima and continues for one month until Magh Shukla Purnima.
According to tradition, devotees observing the Madhav Narayan fast trim their fingernails and toenails on the day before Purnima, observe complete fasting with full concentration, and take a ritual bath in the river early on the morning of Purnima before performing worship. This is followed by the ceremonial intake of holy water from a conch shell with mantra recitation.
After consuming the conch water, devotees are religiously prohibited from touching others or wearing footwear. It is believed that the Swasthani fast remains incomplete without performing the worship of Lord Madhav Narayan.
There is a long-standing belief that worshipping Swasthani and Madhav Narayan brings happiness, peace and prosperity.
Throughout the fasting period, devotees and ritual observers traditionally undertake pilgrimages on foot to various religious sites of Pashupatinath, Pharping, Dakshinkali, Banepa, Panauti and Shankhamul area, for darshan.
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