Dashain begins with Ghatasthapana today

The biggest festival Dashain began with Ghatasthapana today by worshiping the deity Shailaputri in accordance with Vedic rituals and sowing barley seeds for jamara in a jar filled with soil and cow dung for germination.

The auspicious hour for observing Ghatasthapana is 11:29 am today, according to the Nepal Calendar Determination Committee. Deity Shailaputri is one of the nine deities worshiped in Navaratri.

Prayers are also offered to Durga Bhavani, the goddess of power today. Germination of the auspicious "Jamara" is also initiated at Hanumandhoka Dashain Ghar in accordance with Vedic rituals.

With the marking of Ghatasthapana, celebrations and worship take place in the Shaktipeeth across the country including in the Kathmandu Valley.

Likewise, there is also a tradition of sacrificing animals while initiating the germination of the "jamara".