INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 15Ghatasthapana, the first day of the Bada Dashain festival, was observed today at Dashain Ghar in
People throng New Bus Park to go home for Dashain festival
Indra Jatra festival: 'Indradhwojotthan' observed
Ghatasthapana involves sowing maize and barley seeds in a pot filled with soil, accompanied by Vedic rituals to
initiate the germination of the auspicious Jamara (shoots).The rituals commenced at 11:29 am, which is the auspicious hour recommended by
the Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Bikas Samiti (Calendar Determination Committee).
On Ghatasthapana, all Nepali Hindus
worshipped Diyo (an oil-fed lamp), Kalas (auspicious jar), and Lord Ganesh in accordance with Vedic rituals
They also sowed maize and barley seeds for Jamara
Additionally, prayers were offered to Durga Bhavani, the goddess of power
As part of the tradition, there is also the practice of sacrificing animals while initiating the sowing of barley seeds for
Jamara.Furthermore, on this day, prayers were offered to goddess Mahakali, Mahalaxmi, and Mahasaraswati at the Dashain Ghar, marking the
beginning of the Navaratri (nine nights) of the Bada Dashain festival.During Navaratri, devotees visit Naxal Bhagawati, Shobha Bhagawati,
Maitidevi, Guheswori, Bhadrakali, Kalikasthan, Sankata, Mahankalsthan, Naradevi, Bijayeswori, Indrayani, Dakshinkali, Chamunda, and other
shrines of goddess Durga Bhavani in the early morning.The Committee has announced that the auspicious time for bringing Dashain Phulpati
home is 9:35 am on October 21, and for receiving the Dashain tika, it is 11:02 am on October 24."
This article first appeared/also appeared in https://thehimalayantimes.com
