Bhaderwah, Jan. 22 -- The ancient 'Kanchoth' festival was celebrated with religious fervour and traditional customs by the Nag followers across the Bhaderwah valley. Women, dressed in vibrant bridal attire, thronged temples and local water bodies to perform age-old rituals associated with the festival.

Also known as 'Gouri Tritiya', Kanchoth commemorates the divine marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Similar to Karwa Chouth, the festival is observed exclusively by women, who keep a strict fast and pray for the long life and well-being of their husbands. According to the Hindu calendar, Kanchoth falls during the Shukla Paksha of the Magh month.

While Karwa Chouth is observed in the plains during summer and the fast is broken at n...