Dashain festival begins, auspicious hour for Ghatasthapana 11:29 a.m.

KATHMANDU: Navaratri Parba or the nine-night festival of Bada Dashain, Nepal’s major Hindu festival, begins today.

The first day of the Bada Dashain celebration is known as “Ghatasthapana” and happens on Ashwin Shukla Pratipada, the first day of the brilliant half of the lunar calendar in the month of Ashoj.

On Ghatasthapana, all Nepali Hindus perform Vedic rites of worshiping Diyo (an oil-fed lamp), Kalas (auspicious jar), and Lord Ganesh, as well as sowing maize and barley seeds in a jar filled with soil and cow dung for the development of the auspicious Jamara (barley shoots).

According to the Nepal Calendar Determination Committee, the auspicious hour for observing Ghatasthapana today is 11:29 a.m.

Today, prayers are also offered to the goddess of might, Durga Bhawani.

Today, the auspicious “Jamara” is also sown in Hanuman Dhoka Dashain Ghar in accordance with Vedic rites.

There is also a practice of sacrificing animals to start the “Jamara” germination process.

Today, prayers are also performed to the goddesses Mahakali, Mahalaxmi, and Mahasaraswati at the Dashain Ghar, signaling the start of Navaratri (nine nights).

On the tenth day of the Bada Dashain festival, parents gift their children golden barley shoots while elders give their juniors auspicious Tika with blessings for peace, prosperity, and happiness.

According to Committee Chairperson Shreekrishna Adhikari, the fortunate hour for getting Tika this year is 11:02 a.m. on Oct 24.

Thousands of worshippers attend Naxal Bhagawati, Shobha Bhagawati, Maitidevi, Guheswori, Bhadrakali, Kalikasthan, Sankata, Mahankalsthan, Naradevi, Bijayeswori, Indrayani, Dakshinkali, Chamunda, and other goddess Durga Bhawani shrines early in the morning during Navaratri.

Throughout the Dashain month, people sing religious lyrics and hymns dedicated to Durga Bhawani at temples and shrines as well as at their homes.

Photo: NepalMinute