The "Navaratri", a nine-night festival known as Bada Dashain and a significant celebration for Hindus in Nepal, has commenced today.
Ghatasthapana falls on Ashwin Shukla Pratipada, the first day of the bright half of the lunar calendar month Asoj or Kartik.
The first day of G is being marked by worshipping the deity Shailaputri in accordance with Vedic rituals by sowing maize and barley seeds in a jar filled with soil and cow dung for germination. The auspicious time for observing Ghatasthapana this year was at 9.16 am today, according to the Nepal Calendar Determination Committee.
Meanwhile, prayers were also offered to Durga Bhavani, the goddess of power, and maize and barley seeds were sowed for jamara at Hanumandhoka Dashain Ghar amidst Vedic rituals.
