The first day of Badadasain festival is called "Ghatasthapana" that falls on Aswin Shukla Pratipada, the first day of the bright half of the lunar calendar in the month of Aswin.[break]
On the day of Ghatasthapana, all Nepali Hindus worship the Diyo (an oil-fed lamp), Kalas (auspicious jar) and lord Ganesh in accordance with vedic rituals and sow maize and barley seeds in a jar filled with soil and cow dung for germination of the auspicious Jamara (barley shoots).
Prayers are also offered to Durga Bhavani, the goddess of power today.
Germination of the auspicious "Jamara" is also initiated at Hanumandhoka Dasain Ghar in accordance with vedic rituals, today.
There is also a tradition of sacrificing animals while initiating the germination of the "Jamara".
Also today, prayers are offered to goddess Mahakali, Mahalaxmi and Mahasaraswati at the Dasain Ghar, marking the beginning of the Navaratri (nine nights).
The golden barley shoots and the auspicious Tika are given by parents to their children and by elders to their juniors on the tenth day of the Badadasain festival with blessings for peace, progress and prosperity.
During the Navaratri, thousands of 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.
People also recite sacred verses and hymns dedicated to Durga Bhawani at temples and shrines as well as at their homes throughout the Dashain period.
The auspicious hour for initiating the Ghatasthapana ritual is at 10:27 am today, said President of the Nepal Calendar Determination Committee, Dr Madhav Bhattarai.
People have started returning home for the festival from wherever they are to join their families in celebrating the festival. The trend of people coming into and going out of the capital city has increased in the run-up to the festival.
Educational institutions throughout the country have been closed from today until the Kojagrat Poornima day.
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