Kathmandu- The month-long Swasthani bratakatha is coming to an end today with much fanfare and festivities at the banks of the Salinadi river in Sankhu, east of Kathmandu.

And among many arriving Salinadi to bid adieu to the month-long fasting festival of the Hindus was Jessica Vantine Birkenholtz, who holds a PhD. in Swastani bratakatha.

A US citizen, Jessica completed her PhD. degree from the University of Chicago in 2010. She was reportedly inspired to pursue a research study on swasthani bratakatha after reading a section on the same in the book titled ‘Dangerous Wives, Sacred Sisters’ by Lynn Bennett.

Jessica came to Nepal for the first time in 1999 and was recommended to go to Sankhu for her study. In order to study the text relating to Swasthani bratakatha, Jessica then learned Nepali language and also Newari language. “We suggested the same to her to study and research many ancient scriptures, said historian Prakash Man Shrestha, who helped Jessica during her research in Sankhu.

By 2004, she had learnt both the languages and stayed in Sankhu for her study cum research until 2006. During the process, she keenly observed the month-long festival for three continuous years from 2004 to 2006.

Jessica came across 20 different hand-written texts written in Newari language. She also compiled 106 books written about Swasthani in Nepal and outside Nepal.

Reader at Patan Campus Kashinath Tamot says that Jessica has also closely studied why Hindus in India do not follow the culture of Swasthani bratakatha.

Jessica has also included in her thesis paper the English translation of a handwritten text about Swasthani of Nepal Sambat 800.

She is presently teaching religion at the Illionios University in the US. Jessica describes Nepal as very rich in culture and the Hindu culture that carries scientific basis was a huge attraction for her.

Jessica is the second US citizen to complete a PhD in Swasthani. Prior to her, Linda Iltis had done a similar study on swasthani brata.

However, no Nepali is known to have completed a PhD in the subject, according to reader Tamot.

Jessica also revealed that she was planning to publish her PhD thesis in the form of a book soon.

This study by Jessica will help promote Nepal and Nepali culture throughout the world and hence such individuals must be recognized by the state, says local resident of Sankhu Mahendra Lal Shrestha.

Recognition by the State to the contribution of Jessica in promoting Nepal’s unique culture Swasthani and Salinadi would attract more foreign citizens to research on Nepal as well as promote Nepali culture and tourism, said Pawan Lal Shrestha, Editor of the Labanya Sandesh vernacular weekly published from Sankhu.

The Sri Swasthani Brata Katha is a very popular ritual observed in Nepal in the month of from the full moon day of Poush to full moon day of Magh (January–February). Goddess Sri Swasthani, known to grant wishes of her devotees, is worshipped for the whole month. The Swasthani Brata Katha (story) is recited everyday. The month-long telling of the tales is dedicated to the Goddess and the stories that are mainly narrated are those of Swasthani Devi, Lord Shiva and other Gods. RSS