Bada Dashain begins with Ghatasthapana today

KATHMANDU: Bada Dashain, the greatest and longest festival of Nepalis, has officially begun on Thursday with Ghatasthapana.

Ghatasthapana, the first day of Navaratri Parba, falls on Ashwin Shukla Pratipada.

On this day, people perform puja and set up ghata or pot, on which they sow seeds of barley, wheat, corn and rice, at homes and temples in accordance with Vedic tradition.

The sprouted seedlings are called jamara. These are offered along with tika on the 10th day, the main day of Dashain.