A Hindu holy man, or sadhu, sits near a fire to keep warm on the first day of the Swasthani Brata Katha festival in Kathmandu.
The month-long celebrations begin with the full moon in January, and each day devotees donning traditional attire recite a chapter of a Hindu tale dedicated to the gods.
Devotees sprinkle rice grains mixed with vermilion powder and flour while offering prayers along the bank of River Saali.
A devotee offers prayers while taking a holy bath in the River Saali.
A devotee performs religious ritual along the bank of River Saali.