KATHMANDU, Dec 11: The Bala Chaturdashi festival is being celebrated across the country by scattering Saatbij (seven different kinds of sacred grains) in Pashupatinath temple, wishing for the good fortune of the departed family members.
There is a large presence of devotees from different parts of the country at Pashupatinath to celebrate the Bala Chaturdashi festival. Devotees who are unable to come to Pashupatinath perform Maha Deep Daan from the evening of Trayodashi (thirteenth day of the lunar fortnight) in the temple of lord Shiva near their homes and scatter Saatbij in the morning of Chaturdashi.
Bala Charurdashi being observed at Pashupatinath today
Saatbij are scattered at 108 Shiva lingas, Kailash, Suryaghat, Gaurighat, Aryaghat, Guhyeshwari, Pashupati, Mrigasthali, Bishworoop and Kirateshwar etc, to wish for the eternal peace of the departed soul in their families.
Here are some photos of the festival taken by Republica's Photo Journalist Prasan Gurung.