During the month-long Swasthani Brata Katha Festival, devotees recite one chapter of a Hindu tale daily from the 31-chapter sacred Swasthani Brata Katha book that is dedicated to God Madhavnarayan and Goddess Swasthani. During the festival, they visit temples, perform religious rituals and, among women, fast for the well-being of their family.
Photojournalist Gopen Rai captures early morning scenes from Sankhu, as devotees begin their morning prayers.
