KATHMANDU: The month long Shree Swasthani Brata Katha festival devoted to goddess Shree Swasthani, which began on the full moon of Poush concluded on Saturday, the full moon of Magh. The last day of the Swasthani fast is also called Sangay.

Goddess Shree Swasthani is portrayed as a four-handed deity with a charka, trishul, sword and lotus in each hand sitting in the centre while Asta Matrika or eight deities of power – Mahakali, Baishanavi, Brahmi Maheswari, Kaumeshwari, Barahi, Indrayani and Chamunda are depicted around her.

On the occasion large crowds throng Salinadi, Gaurighat the banks of the river to observe the last day of the festival. The popular Hindu festival which is celebrated during the winter is considered auspicious for married women to pray for the prosperous lives of their husbands while the unmarried ones fast to be blessed with suitable grooms.

The holy book Swasthani is read throughout the month. The devotees take a holy bath in the morning and wear fresh clothes, trim their finger and toe nails and eat only after praying and reading the book the entire month.