Kathmandu, Sept 22: The Hindu festival of Bada Dashain, which begins every year from the first day of the bright lunar fortnight of Ashwin, started today.
This festival is celebrated for 15 days until the full moon of Ashwin. The first day, known as Ghatasthapana, begins with the ritual installation of an oil lamp, a sacred pot (kalash), and Lord Ganesh in every household. In the prayer room or Dashain Ghar, devotees invoke Goddess Durga following Vedic rituals and begin worship.
Early this morning, after daily ablutions, devotees brought sand or soil from a nearby river or clean place and placed it in the prepared worship room smeared with cow dung. Barley seeds are sown on it, a practice known as “Jamara rakheko”. Barley shoots, considered dear to Goddess Durga, are offered to her and later worn on Vijaya Dashami as a symbol of prosperity along with tika.
Religious scholars clarify that there is no scriptural basis for sowing any grain other than barley, though some families follow their own tradition. Jamara is also used as an Ayurvedic medicine.
The auspicious time for Ghatasthapana today was 9:13 am, according to the Nepal Panchang Nirnaya Samiti. Its chairperson Prof. Shambhu Prasad Dhakal said the date was fixed in line with the belief that Ghatasthapana should be performed on the day of Pratipada during sunrise.
Throughout Navaratri, devotees worship the three forms of Goddess Durga—Mahakali (power), Mahalakshmi (wealth), and Mahasaraswati (knowledge)—through daily prayers and rituals. Special worship is held during these 15 days, also called Durga Paksha, to honor the nine forms of Durga who are believed to have slain demons like Chanda, Munda, Shumbha, Nishumbha, and Raktabeej.
Each of the first nine days is dedicated to one form of the goddess: Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri, collectively known as Navadurga. Scriptures prescribe that all humanity should worship Durga for protection from evil tendencies, and scholars emphasize that Dashain is not limited to any single caste or faith.
On the seventh day, Phulpati is brought in with religious ceremony. Devotees perform special sacrifices on Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami at Dashain Ghars, Kot courtyards, and Shakti Peeths. Recitations from Durga Saptashati (Chandi), Devi Bhagavatam, and other hymns continue throughout Navaratri. Major temples like Guhyeshwari, Maitidevi, Naxal Bhagwati, Shova Bhagwati, Nala Bhagwati, and Palanchok Bhagwati see large crowds of devotees.
This year Dashain is being observed over 10 nights and 11 days due to lunar adjustments. Goddess Durga will be immersed on October 16, the day of Vijaya Dashami. The auspicious time for tika is 11:53 am, and those seeking blessings traditionally receive tika, jamara, and flowers from elders. Rituals continue until Kojagrat Purnima. On the full moon, devotees observe the Lakshmi fast and stay awake at night praying for prosperity. The Jamara planted today is immersed on Kojagrat Purnima.
As per tradition, Ghatasthapana was performed this morning at Hanumandhoka Dashain Ghar following Vedic rituals, and worship will continue daily with animal sacrifices, culminating in 54 goats and 54 buffaloes sacrificed on Maha Navami at the Kot courtyard.
Dashain is also seen as a festival of family reunion. People working or studying away from home return to celebrate with their families. Many schools and institutions begin holidays from today.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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