From Poush Shukla Purnima to Magh Shukla Purnima, devotees observe a one-month-long religious period dedicated to the worship of various Shakti Peeths. This age-old tradition is rooted in the belief that these sacred sites emerged where the body parts of Goddess Sati fell, making them the eternal abode of divine energies.
From today, followers of the Vedic Sanatan Dharma across Nepal have begun performing Magh Snan, observing the Swasthani Brata, and reciting the Swasthani Brata Katha with proper rituals in their homes. The observance officially begins on Poush Shukla Chaturdashi, when devotees trim their nails, take a ritual bath, wear clean clothes, and prepare themselves spiritually.
During the month, devotees take an early morning holy bath and worship Lord Shiva along with Goddess Parvati at midday. In the evening, they listen to or recite the Swasthani Brata Katha, based on the Kedar Khanda of the Skanda Purana, which narrates the dialogue between Kumar and Rishi Agastya. Depending on family traditions, the recitation may take place either in the morning or evening.
On the final day, Magh Shukla Purnima, devotees offer 108 sacred items, including janai (sacred thread), betel nuts, betel leaves, flowers, rotis, grains, fruits, incense, lamps, clothes, and other ritual offerings, praying for the fulfillment of their wishes. A traditional practice involves distributing portions of the offerings to the husband, son, or symbolic son; if none are present, the offerings are immersed in a nearby holy river with prayers for wish fulfillment.
Devotees consume simple food, observe a night-long vigil (jagaran), and listen to the glorification of the Goddess. It is believed that sincere observance of the brata fulfills one’s desires and brings spiritual merit.
The literal meaning of Swasthani is “the Goddess of one’s own place.” Worshipping the presiding deity of one’s residence is considered Swasthani Puja. Another belief associates Swasthani with self-realization, as the period following Uttarayan is regarded as ideal for meditation and spiritual discipline.
According to Prof. Dr. Devmani Bhattarai, member of the Nepal Panchang Determination Development Committee and a scholar of religious scriptures, the Skanda Purana describes Swasthani as a golden-complexioned goddess with three eyes, seated on a lotus throne, possessing four hands holding a blue lotus, sword, shield, and bestowing blessings through varada mudra.
Religious belief holds that observing Swasthani Brata reunites separated couples, cures diseases, and fulfills desires related to marriage and progeny. Scriptures narrate that in Satya Yuga, Goddess Parvati observed this brata on the guidance of Lord Vishnu to attain Lord Shiva as her husband. The brata is also said to have reunited separated Nagas and Nagins.
Historian Prakash Shrestha ‘Sakwa’, who has researched the historical, religious, and cultural significance of Sankhu, shared that the Swasthani Katha mentions Goma Brahmani, who regained her son through this brata, and whose son Navaraj later became the king of Lavanya Desh, present-day Sankhu.
Coinciding with this observance, the Madhav Narayan Fair has also begun today at Shalinadi in Sankhu, located about 18 kilometers northeast of Kathmandu. Devotees believe that taking a holy bath at Shalinadi and worshipping Madhav Narayan during the Magh month washes away sins and earns spiritual merit. Every year, hundreds of thousands of devotees from Nepal and India visit the site.
The Shalinadi Management Committee has confirmed that all preparations for this year’s fair have been completed, welcoming pilgrims for holy baths and the darshan of Madhav Narayan and Goddess Swasthani throughout the month.
