KATHMANDU, Oct 17: "Navaratri Parva" or the nine-night festival of Bada Dashain, a great festival of the Hindus of Nepal, commenced on Saturday.
The first day of Bada Dashain festival is called "Ghatasthapana '' that falls on Ashwin Shukla Pratipada, the first day of the bright half of the lunar calendar in the month of Asoj or Kartik.
PHOTOS: Ghatasthapana observed at Basantapur Durbar Square
On the day of Ghatasthapana, Hindu Nepalis worship Diyo (an oil-fed lamp), Kalash (auspicious jar) and lord Ganesh in accordance with the 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).
The auspicious hour for observing Ghatasthapana was at 11:46 AM earlier today, according to Nepal Calendar Determination Committee (CDC).
The golden barley shoots are 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 and blessings for peace, progress and prosperity.
The ritual procession on Ghatasthapana day was held with age-long rituals at Nasal Chowk, Basantapur Durbar Square in Kathmandu at the auspicious hour as determined by the CDC.
Here are some photos taken today on the premises of the world heritage site on Saturday.
