By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Oct. 17: Hindus across the nation are observing Ghatasthapana, the first day of Dashain, on Saturday, by sowing “Jamara” at their houses.
Seeds for Jamara are sown according to Vedic rituals at Dashain Ghar, Hanumandhoka.
The Calendar Determination Committee (Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Samiti) has decided that the auspicious time for Ghatasthapana is at 10:35 AM on Saturday morning.
Navaratri, the nine days, when goddess Durga is worshipped, commences from Saturday.
People collects fine sand and cow dunk and sow maize and barely seeds in a jar filled with soil, on the day of Gahatasthapana, which will germinate into “Jamara” after a few days.
During the nine nights, devotees worship different faces of goddess Durga, including Mahakali, Mahalaxmi and Mahasaraswati. Navaratri dedicates three days to worshipping the divine manifested in the forms of Durga, Laxmi and Saraswati. During the first three days, Durga is worshipped. She personifies Shakti, the power which destroys negative energy.
Additionally, the last three days of Navaratri are dedicated to worshiping Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge. She is depicted as wearing a pure-white sari, which symbolises the illumination of the supreme truth.
There is a profound meaning of each day of Navaratri and reasons behind worshipping different nine goddesses -- Shailputri, Brhamcharini, Chandraghanta, Bhuwoneshwori, Jagamata, Bagyshwori, Kumari, Siddhidatri and Durga. The tenth day is the most important and is known as Bijaya Dashami.
On the tenth day, younger/junior persons receive auspicious Tika and Jamara from their elders/seniors, along with blessings for peace, progress and prosperity.