The “Navaratri Parba” or the nine nights festival of Badadasain, the great festival of the Hindus, commences from today.

Jamara, the holy barley shoot being planted on the occasion of Ghatasthapana, the beginning of the Dashain festival, Saturday, Sep 23 06. nepalnews.com/rh

The first day of Badadasain festival is called “Ghatasthapana” that falls on Aswin Shukla Pratipada, the first day of the bright half of the lunar calendar in the month of Aswin.

On the day of Ghatasthapana, all Nepalese 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).

Prayers are also offered to Durga Bhavani, the goddess of power today.

Germination of the auspicious “Jamara” is also initiated at Hanumandhoka Dasain Ghar in accordance with Vedic rituals, today. There is also a tradition of sacrificing animals while initiating the germination of the “Jamara”.