KATHMANDU, Oct 21: Bada Dashain has ritually begun in the Taleju Bhawani temple in Bhaktapur on Saptami, the seventh day of the Dashain festival. 

On the auspicious time of 8:24 AM today, the idol of Taleju Bhawani was taken into the Dashain Ghar from the Main Ghar after a display in the main chowk, it has been said. Altogether 19 people clad in special types of red and white coloured cloths including shawls, and donning ornaments made from gemstones with swords and other religious weapons in their hands in a queue carried and took the statue to the Dashain Ghar. 

The group of people included Narendra Prasad Joshi, the main priest of the Taleju Bhawani temple, as a royal representative, and other priests. Special musical instruments were played in the process. There is a tradition that Taleju Bhawani will be worshiped in the Dashain Ghar From today until Bijaya Dashami, the main day of the Dashain festival. 

The idol of Taleju deity will be taken to the Main Ghar from the Dashain Ghar on the day of Bijaya Dashami amid a triumphal procession, said the main priest Joshi. Generally, 54 billy goats, 32 bulls and 32 ducks are sacrificed in the temple on Fulpati, Ashtami and Navami. Others present on the occasion were chiefs of government offices and members of the general public. 

Due to the belief that worshiping at the temple on Fulpati today brings blessings, the general public crowded and watched the procession of the statue into the Dashain Ghar. After taking the statue into the Dashain Ghar, the main priest Joshi offered prasad to the devotees. 

 
• Bada_Dashain
 
• Bhaktapur