Bada Dashain begins with Ghatasthapana today

KATHMANDU: Navaratri, the nine‑night festival known as Bada Dashain and a major celebration for Hindus in Nepal, began today.

Ghatasthapana falls on Ashwin Shukla Pratipada, the first day of the bright half of the lunar month Asoj or Kartik.

The Nepal Calendar Determination Committee said the auspicious time for observing Ghatasthapana this year was 9:13 am. Deity Shailaputri is worshipped during Ghatasthapana at that hour. The festival involves reverence for deities, including Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhiratri.

The first day is being marked by Vedic worship of Shailaputri and the preparation of jamara (barley shoots) by sowing maize and barley seeds in a jar filled with soil and cow dung for germination. Prayers were also offered to Durga Bhavani, the goddess of power. Germination of the jamara was initiated at Hanumandhoka Dashain Ghar in accordance with Vedic ritual.

On the seventh day of the festival, Dashain Phulpati will be brought to Kathmandu, this year on September 29. The committee has set 11:53 am on October 2 as the most auspicious time for Dashain tika.

Jamara sown at Gorkha Durbar

Seeds for growing the jamara were sown at the Dashain Ghar in the Gorakhkali temple of Gorkha, as part of the rituals marking Ghatasthapana.

The ritual was performed at the auspicious hour of 9:13 am, main priest Sharada Prasad Bhattarai said.

A diyo (oil‑fed lamp), a kalash (auspicious jar) and an image of Lord Ganesh were placed according to Vedic rites, and maize and barley seeds were sown in a jar filled with soil and cow dung for germination of the jamara, he said.

By religious tradition, Hindus across the country sow barley seeds only after the ritual is completed at the Gorakhkali temple of Gorkha.

The golden barley shoots are used, along with the auspicious tika from elders to the young, on the tenth day of Bada Dashain, conveying blessings for peace, progress and prosperity.

Germination of barley shoots was also carried out at the Manakamana temple of Gorkha at the same auspicious hour.

There is a tradition of animal sacrifice at the Kalika temple at the beginning of Pratipada.

(with inputs from RSS)