Kathmandu, November 18
The annual Bala Chaturdashi Mela, observed on the Krishna Trayodashi of the month of Mangsir with prayers for the eternal peace of departed ancestors, is beginning today at the Pashupati area.
From early morning, devotees line up at Pashupatinath to light lamps in the name of their ancestors. Devotees gathered from the morning of Trayodashi light lamps in the evening following the prescribed rituals. Those who offer Akhand Deepdaan throughout the night light the lamps on Trayodashi evening and scatter satbij at dawn on Chaturdashi, praying for the salvation of their ancestors.
On this occasion, crowds of devotees gather not only at the Pashupatinath Temple but also at Shiva temples across the country. Devotees from various parts of Nepal arrive at Pashupati to celebrate Bala Chaturdashi. Many arrive early in the morning to secure a place to light lamps, creating large crowds in the area. As it is winter, tents and other arrangements have been made, according to the Pashupati Area Development Trust.
In remembrance of departed family members and with prayers for their eternal peace, satbij is scattered at 108 Shivalingas, Kailash, Suryaghat, Gaurighat, Aryaghat, Guhyeshwari, Pashupati, Mrigasthali, Vishworupa and Kiranteshwar, among other sacred sites.
Although the ritual is called satbij (hundred seeds), it now involves saptabij—seven grains (rice, barley, sesame, wheat, chickpeas, maize and kodo). Devotees scatter these grains and, upon reaching the deaf Ganesh statue at Mrigasthali, shake the stone idol and loudly appeal for the message to reach the departed souls.
According to scripture expert Prof. Toyaraj Nepal, satbij means offering one hundred grains of rice, as mentioned in the religious text Hemadri, and does not refer to other grains. “Various scriptures mention that offering even a single grain today in the sacred place where Lord Shiva once wandered in the form of a deer yields merit equal to donating a grain of gold, and grants liberation to departed souls,” he said.
