Dashain begins, Ghatasthapana today

Hindu people across the nation have been observing Ghatasthapana , the first day of Dashain festival on Tuesday by sowing seeds of Jamara (sacred plants) at home and temples.

Dashain , the greatest festival of Hindu’s, is dedicated to the worship of Durga, the goddess of power.

On the day, people clean up their houses early in the morning and prepare for Ghatasthapana , which literally means the placing of the pot. Ghata means pot and Sthapana refers to placing. Hindu god Ganesh is also worshiped on the day and Kalasha (vessel full of holy water) and Diyo (oil-fed lamp) are placed before reading holy scriptures. Jamara includes seeds of barley, rice, corn and wheat which are planted on a leaf plate traditionally known as Tapari and Bohta.

Jamara is kept as the blessing of Goddess Durga on the 10th day of Bijaya Dashami by Hindu Nepalis worldwide. Usually the head member of the family plants Jamara after purifying himself/herself by taking a holy bath and wearing clean clothes.

Devotees also visit various Shakti Piths (power centres) of Durga to receive her blessings. Guheshwori, Bhadrakali, Shobha Bhagawati, Mahangkal, Naradevi, Indrayani, Kalikasthan, Maiti Devi and Sankata are knows as shakti piths in Kathmandu Valley.

Jamara is offered as blessings by elders to younger on the 10th day. The day is known as Tika. Offering of Tika and Jamara ritual continues for five days till Purnima. Some devotees fast for the prosperity of family members.

On the auspicious occasion of Ghatasthapana and till Navaratri (nine nights), people chant Bhajan (devotional songs) at home and in Shakti Piths.

All nine nights are named according to Hindu scriptures and after the nine incarnations of Durga.

Gatasthapana is worshiped as Shailaputri. The second day is called Bramhacharini, third as Chandra Ghante, fourth as Kushmande, fifth as Skndmate, sixth as Katyayani, seventh as Kalratri, eighth as Mahagauri and ninth as Siddhiratri. From the day onwards, people also recite and chant holy books Chandi and Durga Kabaj.

One of the interesting parts of the festival is also Malshree Dhun, also called the Dashain tune.

source: The Kathmandu Post,16 Oct 2012