Madhav Narayan Festival — Bhaktapur Photo Story | Udhab Khatri
Madhav Narayan Festival on the Hanumante River, Bhaktapur
Photo Story  ·  Bhaktapur

Madhav Narayan
Devotion on the Hanumante

Udhab Khatri  ·  March 2024  ·  Bhaktapur, Nepal

Each year, on the cold banks of the Hanumante River, devotees observe the month-long Swasthani Brata — bathing at dawn, fasting, and rolling on the ground in prostration. A quiet, ancient act of faith in the old city of Bhaktapur.

Vertical portrait at the Madhav Narayan Festival — Hanumante River, Bhaktapur
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Devotees gathered at the Hanumante River during Madhav Narayan festival
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Winter devotion during the Madhav Narayan Festival — Bhaktapur
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Ritual bathing at the Hanumante River — Madhav Narayan festival
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Devotee in prayer at the Madhav Narayan Festival, Bhaktapur
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Riverside ritual scene during Madhav Narayan festival
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Madhav Narayan Festival — vertical frame from the Hanumante River
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Wide view of the Madhav Narayan Festival gathering, Bhaktapur
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Pilgrim at the Madhav Narayan Festival, Hanumante River, Bhaktapur
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Madhav Narayan festival procession along the Hanumante River
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Newar devotee during Madhav Narayan festival — Bhaktapur
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Ritual scene at the Hanumante River during Madhav Narayan
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Madhav Narayan Festival — portrait of a devotee in Bhaktapur
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Winter light at the Madhav Narayan Festival, Bhaktapur
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Devotional moment at the Madhav Narayan Festival — Bhaktapur
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Riverside gathering during Madhav Narayan festival, Hanumante River
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Wide frame from the Madhav Narayan Festival at the Hanumante River
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Crowd at the Madhav Narayan Festival — Bhaktapur
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Closing frame from the Madhav Narayan Festival, Bhaktapur
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Cold water, ancient vows,
and a month of faith kept quietly by the river.

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