The month-long Sri Swasthani Brata Katha has started from Thursday.

Women and men take holy bath at sacred river locations and start Sri Swasthani Brata Katha from today across the country.

Hordes of devotees thronged Sali Nadi, which lies on the banks of  Manohara river, in Sankhu, Kathmandu for holy bath.

Goddess Sri Swasthani is worshipped every day from today by reciting and telling tales of Swasthani Devi, Lord Shiva other Gods.

The month-long rituals and fast of Swosthani begins every year on the full moon day of Poush, the ninth month of Nepali calender.

Some devotees observe fast for the entire month, till the next full moon day, taking only one meal a day.