Photos by Prakash Chandra Timilsena

The month-long Sri Swasthani Brata Katha has started from Thursday.

The festival begins every year on the first full-moon day of Poush, the ninth month of the Nepali calendar.  In other places in Nepal during the month, Goddess Sri Swasthani is worshipped every day, and the tales of the goddess, Lord Shiva and other Gods are told in Hindu households.

Women and men take holy bath at sacred river locations and start Sri Swasthani Brata Katha from today across the country.

Hordes of devotees thronged Sali Nadi, which lies on the banks of Manohara river, in Sankhu, Kathmandu for holy bath.

Some devotees observe fast for the entire month, till the next full moon day, taking only one meal a day.