This full moon, Jan 9, the month-long public reading of the Sri Swasthani scripture commences.  People gather to . This is the coldest time of year in Kathmandu. The morning mists get thicker and thicker, and they lift later and later, depriving the Valley of a share of sunlight. Still, tradition decrees that this is the best time of year to take cold baths in the river, especially for ladies. To be fair, the gods also have a bathe. Seto (white) Macchendronath aka Karunamaya, the Lord of Compassion has his batch on January 1st.



This full moon. Jan 9, The month-long public reading of the Sri Swasthani scripture commences. People gather to hear the ancient tale of how the goddess Parvati, daughter of Himalaya, wooed Lord Shiva, catching his eye and winning his heart with her severe austerities. At that time Parvati prayed to goddess Swasthani for Shiva to be her husband.



Swasthani is the Hindu Devi. thought to grant the wishes of devotees and gods who show her pure soul and dedicated worship.




The Swasthani Purnima is the month long tribute to the Goddess through fasting, meditation and ritual bathing.  The festival is split into two parts; one publicly showcasing female solidarity through group worship and the other encouraging family togetherness and literacy.

The second part of the festival is more home oriented. Families gather in the evening for a meal to read together from the sacred Brata Katha text, The Guru or oldest male of the family will read the stories of Goddess. Swasthani and how she rewards the hard work and dedication of both gods and worshipers. The Brata Katha contains 31 life lessons, split into a different chapter for each night of the festival. The stories describe her a as a Deity above others as she has the powers to grant even the wishes of other Gods.


There are three main stories of Swasthani. The first is the popular love story of Sati Devi and Lord Shiva.  Sati Devi, the daughter of a powerful King Daksha, was married to Lord Shiva. Her parents greatly disapproved of their common lifestyle and when they organized a great puja did not invite the couple. Sati Devi was so shamed by the insult to her husband that she went to the puja and threw herself on the fire.

When she was reborn as Pravati, Lord Shiva was too distraught with grief to recognize her. Pravati prayed to the Goddess Swasthani, during a month long mediation and fast. Goddess Swasthani rewarded Pravati’s dedication with a blessing and the promise that Shiva would again be her husband. Lord Shiva came to the river and tested Pravati. He was able to recognize Pravati as the reincarnation of Sati Devi and join her again in marriage. The second and third stories reinforce the message of being rewarded by Goddess Swasthani if one shows dedication and worship.


At the moment, we're in the inauspicious month of Poush when most religious ceremonies and marriages are forbidden.  Jan 15th, the holy Day of Magh Sankranti commences the holy month of Magh begins.  Magh Shankranti (January 15) is a rare solar event in the traditional lunar calendar. It marks the day when the sun is farthest from earth and changes its course towards the northern hemisphere bringing with it the promise of warmer weather soon. On this day people throng to the rivers for a sacred bath.





For some may only mean sprinkling a few drops of water on their heads. For others it means a full dip in the icy waters. When the bathers return home, they feast with family and friends on the holiday dish of kichiri. a spicy stew of rice and lentils. combines with other holdiay foods meant to impart good health and strength in the winter, such as sweet potatoes, spinach, and laddus, sweet balls of seasame seeds and brown sugar.

This  month, many Nepali (Hindu) women leave home and camp out on the banks of the rivers, especially at sacred confluences. There they fast, pray, listen toSwathani, and frequent ritual baths in the river. The do  this to dispel any troubles they may be experiencing in their family life, and to assure themselves a good marriage. Most women undergo this penance at least once in their lifetime.








Devotees at Hanumanghat (Bhaktapur) on the last day of Swasthani obsevervances
love and pranams,

 
Billy