Kathmandu, October 21: Vijaya Dashami, the most important day of Nepal’s greatest festival, Bada Dashain, is being celebrated today. People are celebrating Dashain by receiving tika, jamara and blessings from their elders.
Tika is applied on Vijaya Dashami after performing the Vedic ritual of consecration using holy water from the sacred vessel established on Ghatasthapana, the first day of Dashain. Celebrated on the tenth day of the bright fortnight of the month of Ashwin, Vijaya Dashami is being observed today with joy and enthusiasm as people receive tika and jamara from their elders as blessings and offerings of Goddess Durga.
Those who are unable to receive tika today may do so from their elders on the occasion of Kojagrat Purnima, the full-moon day marking the conclusion of Dashain, until all the prescribed ritual offerings have been completed.
Vijaya Dashami Celebrated with Tika, Jamara and Blessings
The main day of Bada Dashain, also known as the Durga festival, is being celebrated today by receiving blessings from elders, who apply red tika as a sacred offering of the nine forms of Goddess Durga and jamara, a symbol of prosperity.
According to the Nepal Calendar Determination Development Committee, tika can be applied after the immersion of Goddess Durga at 8:49 a.m. today. For those seeking the most auspicious time, the committee has designated 10:26 a.m.
According to the committee, the person applying tika should face east, while the person receiving it should face west. Although it is customary to face south during rituals performed for deceased ancestors, there is no such tradition when receiving Dashain tika.
Special Significance of Kalash Water and Jamara
According to religious beliefs, the water kept in the sacred kalash (ritual vessel) is considered holy after the immersion of Goddess Durga. It is customary to perform an ablution with this water, remember one’s chosen deity and family deity, cut the jamara, and apply tika above the main entrance of the house.
Thereafter, people receive tika and jamara from their family priest or, in the absence of a priest, from respected elders in the household. Traditionally, tika is first offered to the family deity and ancestral deities, after which family members receive tika from their elders.
Tika Can Be Applied Even After the Auspicious Time
Although 10:26 a.m. has been designated as the most auspicious time for applying tika, this does not mean that tika cannot be received after that time. Those who cannot receive tika at the designated auspicious time because they have to travel long distances or face other unavoidable circumstances may also receive it according to the prescribed rituals after sunrise.
According to Prof. Dr. Devmani Bhattarai, a former member of the Nepal Calendar Determination Development Committee, it is not compulsory to wait for the designated auspicious time to receive tika and blessings from elders on Dashain. Those arriving in Nepal late or missing the auspicious time for other reasons can also receive tika as a sacred blessing from their elders at a time convenient for them.
During Bada Dashain, it is customary for people to receive red tika, jamara and blessings from their elders while sharing happiness with family members and relatives.
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