Kathmandu, 13 October 2015: Bada Dashain, the greatest and longest festival of Nepali Hindus,  officially begin from today with Ghatasthapana.
Ghatasthapana is observed by people performing puja and setting upghata or pot, on which they sow seeds of barley, wheat, corn and rice, at homes and temples in accordance with Vedic tradition.
The Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Samiti, which publishes the lunar calendar, has said 11:25am is the auspicious time for sowing seeds in a mixture of sand and soil in a clay pot. The sprouted seedlings are calledjamara. These are offered along with tika on the 10th day, which is observed as Vijaya Dashami. On this day — the main day of the Dashainfestival — elders and seniors offer tika and jamara to younger relatives and subordinates and bless them.
According to the Samiti, following Ghatasthapana, the most suitable time for replacing national flags hoisted in government offices is 11:35am on October 14 (Wednesday). Similarly, this year’s Pachali Bhairav Jatrawill be celebrated on October 18 (Sunday). The auspicious time for the procession of goddess Tulja Bhavani has been set for 10:55am on October 20, and the deity will be put in the resting mode at 11:53am on the same day when Fulpati is observed. On this very day, Fulpati will be brought to the Dashain Ghar at Hanumandhoka. The Samiti said there is no need to wait for an auspicious time to bring in Fulpati.
Likewise, October 21 (Wednesday) will mark Mahaashtami along with the Kalratri puja on the same night. Mahanavami and Vijaya Dashamiwill be celebrated on the same day on October 22 (Thursday) this year.
The Samiti has suggested that all the concerned to perform Mahanavamirituals before proceeding to Vijaya Dashami.
The auspicious time to conclude the Mahanavami puja is 10:45am.
