epaselect epa10868766 A Nepalese woman takes a ritual holy bath to purify herself to mark the Rishi Panchami festival, in the Bagmati River in Kathmandu, Nepal, 19 September 2023. During Rishi Panchami, Nepalese women take an early morning ritual bath in holy rivers and worship the ancient Sapta Rishi (seven saints), who devoted their life to the welfare of the society. However, some women practice this ancient ritual to ask for forgiveness for any errors committed during the end of their menstrual cycle. In the Hindu religion, menstruation is viewed as a symbol of impurity and women are not supposed to take part in religious practices and sexual activities during their periods. Thus, it is believed that Rishi Panchami is the occasion to wash off one's impurity for the whole year. EPA-EFE/NARENDRA SHRESTHA