October 15: The Navaratri Parba or the nine-night festival of Bada Dashain, the biggest festival of Nepal, has commenced from today (October 15).   

The first day of the Dashain festival is called "Ghatasthapana" that falls on the first day of the bright half of the lunar calendar in the Nepali month of Ashwin (mid-September to mid-October).   

On the day of Ghatasthapana, different communities of Nepal, especially the Hindus, worship Diyo (an oil-fed lamp), Kalas (auspicious jar) and lord Ganesh in accordance with the Vedic rituals and sow barley seeds in a jar filled with soil and cow dung for germination of the auspicious Jamara (barley shoots).   

Devotees offer prayers to Durga Bhavani, the goddess of power, today. Germination of the auspicious "Jamara" is also done at the Hanumandhoka Palace in accordance with the Vedic rituals on this special day. There is also a tradition of sacrificing animals while initiating the germination of the "Jamara".   

Also today, prayers are offered to goddess Mahakali, Mahalaxmi and Mahasaraswati at the Dashain Ghar of Hanumandhoka Palace, marking the beginning of the Navaratri (nine nights).   

 The barley shoots and the auspicious Tika are given by parents to their children and by elders to their juniors on the tenth day of the Bada Dashain festival with blessings for peace, prosperity and happiness.   

The auspicious hour for receiving Tika this year is 11:02 am, according to the Nepal Calendar Determination Committee.   

During the Navaratri, thousands of devotees visit temples such as Naxal Bhagawati, Shobha Bhagawati, Maitidevi, Guheswori, Bhadrakali, Kalikasthan, Sankata, Mahankalsthan, Naradevi, Bijayeswori, Indrayani, Dakshinkali, Chamunda and other shrines of Goddess Durga Bhavani.   

People also recite sacred verses and hymns dedicated to Durga Bhawani at temples and shrines as well as at their homes throughout the Dashain period.