Devotees flocked to temples Wednesday morning and offered pujas to Goddess Bhagawati on the first day of Bada Dasain. Amid prayers and rituals at dasain ghars nation-wide including Hanumandhoka, barley seeds were sown in jars to germinate jamaras on Ghatastaphana day.
Legislators rued the first government curb on long dasain holidays this year to increase working days at government offices.
Newspapers quoting Home Ministry officials said King Gyanendra will not offer tika to citizens at the Narayanhiti Royal Palace on Biyaya Dashami in remembrance of King Birendra, Queen Aishwarya and other members of the royal family killed in a June 1 carnage.