Month of Shrawan
The month of Shrawan is considered to be sacred month in Nepal. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the month observes women and girls keeping fast and adorning green, yellow and red bangles and pote. During this month, especially on Mondays, devotees, despite their ages and sexes, go to the Shiva temple to worship the Lord. It is believed that the unmarried girl keeping fast on every Monday of the month shall get the husband of her choice. The married women, however, keep the fast for the good health and prosperity of their husbands and family members.
Girls and women are also seen wearing green, yellow and red bangles on their hands and their palm decorated with mehendi. The devotees of Lord Shiva take pilgrimage to Bol Bam during this month and also large numbers of devotee are seen at the Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu during the entire month.
Colorful bangles (green, yellow and red) on display at a cosmetic shop, especially for the month of Shrawan.
College girls displaying their mehendi. Not only women but also girls put on bangles and mehendi during this month. The color green is worn as a representation of the environment during the month which is green, rich with vegetation and also because the females are compared to the nature.
Girls and women waiting for their turns to worship Lord Shiva. Not only women but also unmarried girls keep fast on Mondays during the month of Shrawan.
Women walking towards Shiva temple.
Devote Hindu women walking barefoot towards the Shiva temple to offer the sacred water to the Lord.
Another cosmetic shop in Patan displaying colorful bangles to attract the customers.
Photos by: Anisha Bhattarai
