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Kathmandu Thursday February 28, 2002 Falgun 16, 2058.
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Swasthani
Brata comes to end
By Perina Pathak
KATHMANDU, Feb 27 : A month-long Swasthani
Brata, which started on January 27 this year, has concluded today. Like every year
thousands of devotees thronged the banks of Shali Nadi at Sankhu on this concluding day of
the month-long fasting and prayers. However, due to escalating Maoist problem and the
imposition of emergency, number of devotees visiting the holy site for puja of Swasthani
Mata went down considerably this year in comparison to previous years.
Throughout the entire period of the month-long
fasting, devotees for the whole month eat a single meal and recite the Swasthani
manuscript every day. Some stay at their homes throughout the month, whereas some prefer
to stay at the bank of Shali Nadi. "Those taking fasting has to pass through
discipline rituals of daily life, such as they cannot have salt, should not think about
domestic affairs and other restricted fruits," said Sujan Rajopadhyay, priest of
Madav Narayan, the main god on the bank of Shali Nadi where the devotees throng today.
Every year thousands of devotees visit Sali
Nadi, which is 40 kilometres east of the Kathmandu Valley, during the period. "This
year only 262 devotees came to live here for a month stay and fasting, but last year there
were above 300 devotees, " said Jeevan Man Singh, member of Shree Sali River
Renovation Committee.
The fasting and puja of Mata Swasthani is
popular among the Hindu community and both male and female equally participate
enthusiastically, which is clear form 31 male (young and old) fasting at the Shali Nadi
bank.
Says 71 years old Bisheshwor Joshi, who came all
the way from Jhapa for Swasthani puja , "I came here for the first time when I was 24
years old. When my wish was fulfilled that year I am here again. I am looking forward to
visit next year too."
"On my first visit I came walking all the
way and only two people were here for fasting, "Joshi remembers his first visit.
Along with Joshi was Krishna Laxmi Suwal, 12,
youngest among those 262. Even after a month long arduous fasting, Suwal looked very
energetic and fresh. "I heard successful stories from my neighbours and friends that
if we could successfully complete the one-month-fasting of Swasthani then the wish will be
fulfilled." said Suwal,
"So I also took fasting so as to fulfil my
wishes," she said. Her 14 years old sister Anita Duwal, who also completed her
month-long-fasting, said, "I wish to be good in my education and ask god to make me
successful in my academic field."
There is no exact date when the fasting and
reading of Swasthani scripture started, said Rajopadhyay. "Whereas according to
Swasthani scripture, Chandrawati started the procedure of fasting in human
community."
Chandrawati, queen of Nawaraj (King of
Shankharapur) was a sinner and she passes through different difficulties. Later she learns
Swasthani fasting from nymphs and teaches the technique to all the people.
"It is believed that Chandrawati is the
first person to introduce the Swasthani fasting to humankind," said Rajopadhyay.
Today the month-long puja ends after Yagya,
sacred-thread ceremony, marriage and other rituals that are performed in a man’s life
from birth to death", he said.
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