epa04547254 Nepalese Hindu women wearing red attire worship during the Madhav Narayan festival in Sankhu near Kathmandu, Nepal, 05 January 2015. The Madhav Narayan festival marks the first day of a month devoted to religious fasting, holy bathing and the study of the Swasthani book, a chapter or story of which is read each evening by priests or householders to the gathered family. More than 100 married and unmarried women including dozens of male devotees started their month-long fast for better life and peace at temple premises. Unmarried women take the fast to get a good husband and married women for their families’ prosperity. The festival is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the god of creation and destruction. EPA/NARENDRA SHRESTHA
