Special worship being preformed after plantation of auspicious Jamara (barley shoot), on the occasion of Ghatasthapana, the first day of the Bada Dashain, Tuesday, Oct 04 05. nepalnews.com/rh

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

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” reports Rastriya Samachar Samiti.

Report quoted Chairman of the Calendar Determination Committee and Nayab Badagurujyu, Dr Madhav Prasad Bhattarai as saying that since the Maha Nawami and Bijaya Dashami fall on the same day this year as per the lunar calendar, the Maha Astami worship should be performed early morning on October 11 and the Kalaratri worship during the evening the same day.

The Maha Nawami worship should be performed on the morning of October 12 and adjourning the Bijaya Dasami worship at the auspicious hour of 11:25 the same day.

The hour of 13:25 on October 12 is the most propitious for receiving Tika blessings.