Ghatasthapana: Beginning of auspicious festival “ Dashain”

10th Oct, 2018 | Tourism Mail Crew

KATHMANDU: Every religion has its own culture and tradition and Dashain is one of the greatest festivals celebrated by Nepalese. It is especially celebrated by Hindu’s. Ghatasthapana marks the beginning of our auspicious festival ‘Dashian’. 

It begins by planting grains in vessel full of sand. The priest then starts worshipping Goddess Durga to bless them with her presence. This ritual is performed at a certain auspicious time which is determined by the astrologers. They follow the Hindu calendar.  The goddess is believed to reside in the vessel during Navaratri.  The room where all the rituals are performed is known as the Dashain Ghar. Traditionally, outsiders are not allowed to enter the room.

 One of the family members worships the Kalash(Vessel) twice a day, every morning and then in the evening. The Kalash is kept away from direct sunlight as excess sunlight can be harmful to plants.   Holy water is offered to it every day, so that by the tenth day of the festival the seeds will have grown to five or six inches long yellow grass. This sacred grass is known as “Jamara”. These rituals continue until the seventh day known as Phulpati .