Kathmandu, October 11
Nepal’s biggest festival, Bada Dashain, began today with the observance of Ghatasthapana, the first day of the festival.
On the occasion, jamara was planted following traditional rituals at the Dashain Ghar in Hanuman Dhoka, Kathmandu.
Ghatasthapana marks the beginning of Dashain. On this day, people sow barley, maize, wheat and other grains in a vessel or designated space after performing Vedic rituals. The seeds sprout into jamara, which is used in Dashain worship and received as a blessing from elders on Bijaya Dashami.
Across the country, households observe Ghatasthapana by ritually installing a sacred water vessel (kalash), lighting an oil lamp and invoking Lord Ganesh. Worship also begins with the invocation of Goddess Durga, the presiding deity of power, in prayer rooms or designated Dashain spaces.
According to the Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Development Committee, the auspicious time for Ghatasthapana this year was 11:47 am.
Committee Chairperson Associate Professor Dr Purushottam Bhattarai said the auspicious time was set during the Abhijit Muhurta around midday, in accordance with scriptural prescriptions, as the Chitra Nakshatra prevailed throughout the day.
