KATHMANDU: Bada Dashain, the greatest festival of the Nepali Hindus, begins today.
The first day of this festival “Ghatasthapana” falls on Aswin Shukla Pratipada, which is the first day of the bright half of the lunar calendar in the month of Nepali month Asoj.
On this day, Nepali Hindus worship an oil-fed lamp called Diyo, an auspicious jar called Kalas, and Lord Ganesh as per the Vedic rituals and sow barley and maize seeds in a pot filled with soil and cow dung for germination of the auspicious barley shoots called Jamara.
According to Nepal Calendar Determination Committee, this year, the auspicious hour for observing Ghatasthapana is 10:23 am on Monday.
Germination of the auspicious “Jamara” is also sown at Hanumandhoka Dashain Ghar in accordance with Vedic rituals, on this day.
Similarly, there is also a tradition of sacrificing animals on this day.
Also today, prayers are offered to goddess Mahakali, Mahalaxmi and Mahasaraswati at the Dashain Ghar, marking the beginning of the Navaratri (nine nights).
The golden barley shoots and the auspicious Tika are given by parents to their children and by elders to their juniors on the tenth day of the Bada Dashain festival with blessings for peace, prosperity and happiness.
The auspicious hour for receiving Tika this year is 11:51 am, according to the Committee Chairperson Shreekrishna Adhikari.
During the Navaratri, thousands of devotees visit Naxal Bhagawati, Shobha Bhagawati, Maitidevi, Guheswori, Bhadrakali, Kalikasthan, Sankata, Mahankalsthan, Naradevi, Bijayeswori, Indrayani, Dakshinkali, Chamunda and other shrines of goddess Durga Bhavani in the early morning.
People also recite sacred verses and hymns dedicated to Durga Bhawani at temples and shrines as well as at their homes throughout the Dashain period.
