Kathmandu: The great Hindu festival of Bada Dashain, celebrated every year from Ashwin Shukla Pratipada, has officially begun today. The 15-day festival will continue until Ashwin Shukla Purnima and is observed with grandeur across the country.

Ghatasthapana Rituals

On the first day of Dashain, known as Ghatasthapana, devotees perform special rituals in their homes by installing lamps, urns, and invoking Lord Ganesh. The worship begins in the puja room or Dashain house by invoking Goddess Durga, the deity of power, following Vedic traditions.

After completing morning rituals, devotees bring sand or soil from a river or a clean place, cover it with cow dung, and plant barley seeds (Jamara) in the puja room. Jamara is later used during tika as a symbol of blessing and is also known for its Ayurvedic properties. According to theologian Prof. Dr. Devmani Bhattarai of the Nepal Panchanga Nirikhaya Bikas Samiti, barley is the only classical grain prescribed for Jamara.

Ghatasthapana Timing and Navratri Worship

The Nepal Panchanga Nirikhaya Bikas Samiti announced that the auspicious Ghatasthapana time was at 9:13 am today, coinciding with sunrise, making it ideal for the ritual.

The festival also marks the beginning of Navratri, during which the three forms of Goddess Durga — Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, and Mahasaraswati — are worshipped. Devotees honor the nine manifestations of Durga, known as Navadurga, symbolizing the victory of truth over falsehood and divine power over evil.

Vijayadashami Sait and Hanumandhoka Puja

This year’s Navratri will be celebrated from Asoj 6 to 15, and the auspicious time (Sait) for Vijayadashami is set for Asoj 16 at 11:53 am. On this day, devotees receive tika, jamara, and flower prasad from elders as a blessing.

As per tradition, worship of Goddess Durga also begins today at the Dashain Ghar of Hanumandhoka Durbar in Kathmandu, where 54 goats and 54 cows will be sacrificed on the day of Mahanavami.

Dashain is also celebrated as a time of family reunion, with people traveling back to their hometowns to receive blessings from elders and celebrate together.