Kathmandu, Sept 22: The nine-night Hindu festival of Bada Dashain, also known as Navaratri, begins today with the observance of Ghatasthapana 2025, marking the first day of this highly significant festival in Nepal. Bada Dashain is celebrated with devotion and enthusiasm across the country and among Nepali communities abroad, symbolizing the victory of good over evil and the blessings of Goddess Durga.
Ghatasthapana falls on Ashwin Shukla Pratipada, the first day of the bright half of the lunar month Asoj or Kartik, according to the Nepali lunar calendar. The Nepal Calendar Determination Committee has set 9:13 am as the most auspicious time to perform Ghatasthapana this year. During this time, devotees worship Goddess Shailaputri, the first manifestation of Goddess Durga, who represents purity, courage, and divine energy.
The festival of Bada Dashain progresses through nine forms of Goddess Durga: Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhirati. Each day is dedicated to one manifestation of the goddess, symbolizing virtues such as wisdom, bravery, compassion, and righteousness. Devotees perform Vedic rituals, prayers, and offerings on each day to seek blessings for prosperity, happiness, and protection from evil.
One of the key rituals of Ghatasthapana is the sowing of Jamara, which consists of barley and maize seeds placed in a jar filled with soil and cow dung. The Jamara is allowed to germinate over the nine days of Dashain and is later used during the Dashain Tika ceremony to bless family members. The germination of Jamara is considered a symbol of life, growth, and divine blessings. At Hanumandhoka Dashain Ghar in Kathmandu, the ceremonial germination of Jamara was performed today following traditional Vedic procedures.
In addition to the sowing of Jamara, devotees offer prayers to Durga Bhavani, the goddess of power, seeking protection from adversities and harmony within their families. Ghatasthapana is therefore not only a ritual marking the start of Dashain but also a time for reflection, prayer, and preparation for the larger festivities that follow.
The Dashain Phulpati ceremony on the seventh day, falling on September 29, will bring sacred leaves, flowers, and other symbolic items into homes. The culmination of Bada Dashain is the Tika and Jamara ceremony on October 2 (Asoj 16) at 11:53 am, when elders bless younger family members with Tika and Jamara, symbolizing protection, prosperity, and familial unity.
Bada Dashain is deeply rooted in Nepali culture and traditions. It is a time when families reunite, homes are cleaned and decorated, and communities come together to celebrate faith, harmony, and generosity. While the festival carries spiritual and religious significance, it also strengthens social bonds and reinforces cultural identity. From offering prayers at local temples to hosting feasts and family gatherings, Dashain embodies devotion, love, and respect for life.
Cultural practices such as kite flying, music, traditional dance, and symbolic animal sacrifices in some communities further enrich the festival experience. These rituals not only maintain age-old customs but also teach values of patience, discipline, and reverence for life. Ghatasthapana, as the opening day, sets the tone for the entire festival, reminding devotees of the timeless victory of righteousness over evil and the importance of nurturing devotion, compassion, and ethical conduct in daily life.
As Nepalis across the country welcome Bada Dashain 2025, Ghatasthapana serves as a sacred starting point—a blend of ritual, reflection, and joy—ushering in a period of spiritual connection, familial harmony, and cultural celebration.
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