Ghatashthapana at Hanuman Dhoka [In Pictures]

KATMANDU: The Dashain festival began on Sunday with Ghatasthapana festivities or the ceremonial installation of Goddess Durga in every household that celebrates the 15-day Hindu festival.

The sacred installation took place at the Dashain Ghar at the Hanuman Dhoka Durbar at the auspicious time of 11:29 am, accompanied by the melodious chanting of sacred Sanskrit verses. To add to the festive atmosphere, a group of Nepal Army personnel performed the Mangal Dhun and fired celebratory shots into the air.

Hindu households celebrating the festival collected sand from different rivers and prepared a sandbed in their worship room. They erected a copper vessel, which symbolizes Goddess Durga, at the center and sowed barley and maize seeds in the sandbed. Over the next nine days, they will worship the nine distinct manifestations of Goddess Durga.

The goddess is uninstalled by following ancient rituals on the 10th day of the festival, or Bijaya Dashami, and the seedlings of barley and maize, known as Jamara, along with the customary Tika, is offered to family, members, friends and relatives as a symbol of blessings.