Devotees throng Goddess shrines on Ghatasthapana

Kathmandu, Sept 22: Devotees have thronged the goddess temples and shrines throughout the country on the occasion of the Ghatasthapana today, the first day of the Bada Dashain festival.

A large crowd of devotees could be seen at the Bhadrakali temple, Guheshwari temple, Maitidevi temple, among other shrines to pay homage to the goddesses.

Deity Shailaputri is worshipped for observing Ghatastapana on the auspicious hour. The first day is being marked by worshipping the deity Shailaputri in accordance with Vedic rituals and preparing for Jamara (barley shoots) by sowing maize and barley seeds in a jar filled with soil and cow dung for germination.  

Similarly, throngs of devotees also visited Dakshinkali temple, Palanchok Bhagawati temple in Kavre, and Manakamana temple in Gorkha, Chhinnamasta temple in Saptari, Nuwakot Bhairavi temple in Nuwakot, Shaileshwari temple in Doti, Kalika Bhagawati temple in Baglung, Dantakali temple in Dharan, Ugratara temple in Dadeldhura, Siddhakali temple in Bhojpur, Bageshwari temple in Banke and Pathibhara temple in Taplejung.

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Jamara sowed in Gorkhadurbar

Seeds for growing the Jamara (barley shoots) were sowed at the Dashain Ghar in the Gorakhkali temple of Gorkha, as per the rituals marking Ghatasthapana, the first day of Bada Dashain festival.

The ritual was carried out at the auspicious hour of 9:13 am this morning, according to main priest Sharada Prasad Bhattarai.

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 were filled with soil and cow dung for germination of the auspicious Jamara (barley shoots), he said.

As per religious tradition, Hindus across the country perform the act of sowing barley seeds only after the act is completed at the Gorakhkali temple of Gorkha.

The golden barley shoots are used along with the auspicious Tika from elders to the young ones on the tenth day of the Bada Dashain festival with blessings for peace, progress and prosperity.

Likewise, the process of germination of barley shoots was also carried out at the Manakamana temple of Gorkha at the same auspicious hour.

There is the tradition of making sacrifices of animals at the Kalika temple with the beginning of the Pratipada. —