KATHMANDU, Oct 7: Ghatasthapana, the first day of Dashain is being observed nationwide today. It falls on Ashwin Shukla Pratipada, the first day of the bright half of the lunar calendar in the month of Asoj or Kartik. The auspicious hour for observing Ghatasthapana is 11: 46 AM today.
On the day of Ghatasthapana, Hindu Nepalis sow maize and barley seeds in a jar filled with soil and cow dung for germination of the auspicious Jamara (barley shoots). Similarly, they also worship Diyo (an oil-fed lamp), Kalash (auspicious jar) and lord Ganesh in accordance with the Vedic rituals.
Nepal’s greatest festival Dashain begins today, auspicious hour...
The golden barley shoots that are grown during Ghatasthapana will be given by parents to their children and by elders to their juniors on the tenth day of the Bada Dashain festival along with the auspicious Tika.
