Bala Chaturdashi marked

BY A STAFF REPORTER, Kathmandu, Nov. 23: People across the county observed the Bala Chaturdashi festival on Tuesday by scattering Satvij for the peace of their deceased relatives. 

The festival is celebrated every year on the day of Marga Krishna Chaturdashi as per the Bikram Sambat calendar. 

On the occasion, devotees take a bath early in the morning and visit the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu to disperse different kinds of grains collectively called Satvij. Those who cannot come to Pashupati visit their nearest Shiva temple.

The preceding evening, that is on Monday, people gathered at Pashupati and other shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and chanted hymns and prayers all night. 

They also lit the Akhanda Jyoti (eternal flame) in the name of their family members who have passed away.

According to the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT), several religious organisations pitched tents in the Pashupati complex for the convenience of worshippers performing the night-long vigil.  

On Tuesday, pilgrims partook in a ritual walk around the Sleshmantak forest to the Kailash Hill, Suryaghat, Gaurighat, Aryaghat, Guhyeshwari, Mrigasthali, Bishworup, Kirateshwar and the 108 Shivalinga area scattering Satvij.