Dashain begins today

The "Navaratri Parba" or Badadasain, the great festival of the Nepalese, commences Friday. The first day of Dashain, "Ghatasthapana" is Friday. On the day of Ghatasthapana, all Nepalese worship Diyo (an oil-fed lamp), Kalas (auspicious jar) and lord Ganesh in accordance with Vedic rituals and sow maize and barley seeds in a jar filled with soil and cow dung for germination of the auspicious Jamara (barley shoots). Prayers are also offered to Durga Bhavani, the goddess of power. There is also a tradition of sacrificing animals while initiating the germination of the "Jamara". Also, prayers are offered to goddess Mahakali, Mahalaxmi and Mahasaraswati at the Dasain Ghar, marking the beginning of the Navaratri (nine nights).