KATHMANDU, Sept 26: ‘Navaratri Parba’ or the nine-night festival of Bada Dashain, the great festival of the Hindus of Nepal, commenced today.
The first day of the Bada Dashain festival is called ‘Ghatasthapana’ that falls on Ashwin Shukla Pratipada, the first day of the bright half of the lunar calendar in the month of Asoj.
On the day of Ghatasthapana, all Nepali Hindus worship 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).
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Prayers are also offered to Durga Bhavani, the goddess of power today. Germination of the auspicious "Jamara" is also initiated at Hanumandhoka Dashain Ghar in accordance with Vedic rituals, today.
Also today, prayers are offered to goddess Mahakali, Mahalaxmi and Mahasaraswati at the Dashain Ghar, marking the beginning of the Navaratri (nine nights).
The auspicious hour for receiving Tika this year is 11:51 AM, according to the Committee Chairperson Shreekrishna Adhikari.
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.
(RSS)
