Nepal

It's that time of the year again when Nepali Hindus pay homage to their deceased ancestors.

Sohra Shraddha, a period of sixteen lunar days in which Hindus worship and honour their ancestors by offering a ball of steamed rice called Pinda and Tarpan containing holy water, Kush, flowers and seeds.

Sohra Shraddha is observed during the waning moon period called Krishna Pakshya in the month of Ashwin. The 16-day Shraddha period ends on the new moon, one day before the start of Dashain festival, Nepal's biggest.

During Sohra Shraddha pilgrims, especially sons,visit the banks of rivers like the Bagmati in Kathmandu and confluences of big rivers like Kali Gandaki and Trishuli at Devghat, Chitwan, to worship their deceased ancestors.

Other holy places include Galeshwar in Myagdi, Kagbeni in Mustang, Barah Kshetra in Sunsari-Udaypur, and Ruru Kshetra along the Kali Gandaki basin.

According to the Vedic Satya Sanatan, Hindu classical tradition,  Sorha Shraddha is observed just before big festivals.

During this period, it is believed that the ancestors remain in hope of being fed. By participating in Sohra Sharaddha worship, it is believed that descendants can get rid of ancestors debts.

See photos of Sohra Shraddha ceremonies along the Bagmati banks at Pashupatinath area: 

All photos: NepalMinute.com