Navesh Chitrakar / Reuters
Devotees light oil lamps carried by a youth portraying God Madhavnarayan in Thecho near Kathmandu during the Madhav Narayan Mela in Nepal on Feb. 15. The month-long festival dedicated to God Madhavnarayan and Goddess Swasthani, involves the recitation of folk tales about miraculous feats performed by them in many Hindu households.
Among the topics discussed in the Mahabharata, one of the two major Sanskrit epics of India, are the four goals of life: dharma (right action), artha (purpose), kama (pleasure), and moksha (liberation). To learn more, check out Wikipedia's entry.
Kevin Frayer / AP
Indian Hindu musicians from the state of Himachal Pradesh play instruments and dance during a festival celebrating the Mahabharata in New Delhi, India, Sunday, Feb. 13. The festival showcases music and culture from all over India in celebration of one of Hinduism's most important texts.
Kevin Frayer / AP
An Indian Hindu worshipper from the district of Garhwal in northern India is held up by others while in trance as he takes part in a ritual dance at a festival celebrating the Mahabharata in New Delhi, India, Sunday, Feb. 13. The dance, called the Pandava Nritya, depicts the story of one of Hinduism's most important texts.
NAVESH CHITRAKAR / Reuters
A devotee takes a rest after taking a holy dip in Panauti near Kathmandu during the Swasthani Bratakatha festival on Feb. 7. Goddess Sri Swasthani, known to grant wishes of her devotees, is worshipped for the whole month of Poush.
Navesh Chitrakar / Reuters
Devotees take a holy dip in the Triveni River in Panauti near Kathmandu during the Swasthani Bratakatha festival on Feb. 7.
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