Where a community celebrating Dashain avoid Ghatasthapana to ward off  ‘misfortune’

Galkot (Baglung), Sept 25: Dashain, one of the major festivals of Nepal, has already commenced.

Marking the victory of good over evil, this fifteen-day celebration begins with Ghatasthapana, a day filled with rituals and devotion. On the first day of this festival, devotees set up a special altar in their homes and sow the barley or maize seeds) in a bed of sand and soil for the germination of ‘Jamara’ (barley or maize shoots).

Jamara refers to the green sprouts of barley and maize that are grown by many Nepalis during the Dashain festival. It is considered an auspicious offering or ‘prasada’ given in blessings by the goddess Durga Bhawani and is worn behind ears and in hair on the 10th day of Dashain festival also known as Bijaya Dashami.

Ghatasthapana ritual is considered a vital and special part of Dashain. For most people, it is hard to imagine celebrating Dashain without it.However, in Baglung, there is a community that does not follow this deeply rooted tradition.

The Majhi community, a marginalized group, chooses not to observe Ghatasthapana. For them, this ritual is not a sign of good fortune, but rather a source of misfortune. This belief comes from stories passed down by their ancestors.

Deu Kumari Majhi, a member of the community, shared that their ancestors faced a series of unfortunate events after celebrating Ghatasthapana. Although they practiced it about 150 years ago, they gradually stopped observing the Ghatasthapana rituals due to the loss and suffering that followed.

Interestingly, while they avoid Ghatasthapana, the Majhi community still celebrates the Tika ceremony, honoring family bonds and blessings.

It is said that this community stopped planting the barley and maize seeds for jamara following the legend that the daughter of the family from the community died after planting it.

However, people from the Majhi community living at Khaniyabas and Maldhunga here celebrate Dashain after bringing jamara from nearby temples.

A local Krishna Majhi shared that the community here has agreed not to plant jamara. The new generation of this community has also continued the same practice after their ancestors told that they stopped planting jamara saying they did not get chance to celebrate Dashain festival following the death of their daughters after planting jamara, he opined.

Around 20 Majhi families are residing at Khaniyabas and Maldhunga.

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