The month-long Salinadi and Madhav Narayan Festival, one of Nepal’s most rigorous Hindu observances, commenced in early January 2026, drawing thousands of devotees to the banks of the Salinadi River in Sankhu, approximately 17 kilometers northeast of Kathmandu.
It is observed annually from the full moon day of the Nepali month of Poush to the full moon day of Magh (January–February). The festival is dedicated to Lord Madhav Narayan, a revered manifestation of Vishnu and Goddess Swasthani. The celebration also extends to the sacred Triveni Ghat in Bhaktapur, where devotees gather for ritual worship. Throughout the month, worshippers observe strict fasting rituals in pursuit of spiritual purification, family well-being, marital harmony, or in hopes of finding a virtuous life partner. Each morning before dawn, devotees take ritual baths in the frigid waters of the Salinadi River, braving winter temperatures as an act of faith and discipline.
Central to the observance is the daily recitation of the 31-chapter scripture, the Swasthani Brata Katha, which narrates the legends of Goddess Swasthani and suggests Hindu spiritual teachings. Many fasters abstain from consuming cooked food and adhere to strict codes of conduct for the duration of the festival. A highlight of the celebration is the revered idol of Madhav Narayan, which is carried in solemn procession often accompanied by barefoot devotees to prominent religious sites, including Pashupatinath Temple and Panauti. The pilgrimage underscores themes of devotion, endurance, and communal unity.
This year’s festival has seen significant participation, supported by community volunteers organizing elaborate 108-items of offerings, reinforcing the event’s deep cultural and spiritual significance within Nepal’s Hindu tradition. As the month progresses, the Salinadi and Madhav Narayan festival continues to stand as a testament to centuries-old Hindu tradition in Nepal.
