King Gyanendra and Queen Komal will observe Badadasain with relatives Friday and offer tika, a palace source said. But the royal couple will not offer traditional tika to the general public at the Narayahniti Royal Palace, the Home Ministry said earlier.

The royal couple and other members of the royal family have been visiting temples during the festive this year. 10.01 AM is the propitious time for tika Friday, religions leaders said.

A pall hangs over the celebrations this year after the June 1 royal palace carnage in which King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya were assassinated; altogether 14 members of the royal family and relative were killed or injured in the savagery.

Devotees flocked to temples of Durga Bhavani on Navaratri Thursday and offered prayers and sacrifices on the ninth day of Bijaya Dashami.

Hindus queued up until late Thursday evening to offer prayers at the Taleju Bhawani temple in the Hanuman Dhoka complex open for only one day in the year; crowds flocked to other temples until late evening.

Special prayers and sacrifices of buffaloes and goats were offered at the Hanumandhoka Dasainghar. Special sacrifices and were also offered to weapons, instruments and army standards at public places and barracks.