Devotees scatter Satbij for departed souls on Balachaturdashi (photos)
The ritual, performed on the auspicious day of Margashirsha Krishna Chaturdashi, is dedicated to praying for the peace of departed ancestors.
KATHMANDU: Devotees observed the Balachaturdashi festival today, scattering Satbij (hundred types of grains) in Shiva temples across the country.
The ritual, performed on the auspicious day of Margashirsha Krishna Chaturdashi, is dedicated to praying for the peace of departed ancestors.
At Pashupatinath Temple, thousands of devotees gathered from various parts of Nepal to mark the festival. For those unable to visit Pashupatinath, similar rituals were carried out at local Shiva temples.
Starting the evening before, devotees lit oil lamps (Mahadeepdan) and stayed awake throughout the night in devotion.
The practice involves offering Satbij while praying for the eternal peace of family members’ departed souls.
Devotees also performed rituals at 108 Shivalingas, Kailash, Suryaghat, Gaurighat, Aryaghat, Guhyeshwari, Pashupati, Mrigasthali, Vishwaroop, and Kiranteshwar, among other sacred sites.
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