Jamara Placed at Dashain Ghar (Photos)

_{Kathmandu: Dashain began on Monday (September 22) with ‘Ghatasthapana,’ marked by the placement of jamara at the Dashain Ghar in Nasal Chowk, Hanuman Dhoka.}

_{The jamara was placed at the auspicious time of 9:13 a.m., while the Nepali Army’s Guruju Paltan performed the Mangal Dhun (the auspicious melody).}

_{Jamara is usually the sprout of barley grains, though maize or paddy can also be used.
There is a tradition of fetching soil from the nearest holy river. The worship room (Puja Kotha) of the house is cleaned and sanctified with cow dung. A bed of soil is made in the room to spread the grains. Sometimes, people prepare this soil bed in a vase or vessel placed in the room. Then, grains including barley, rice, corn, and maize are spread over the soil bed.}

_{According to the Nepal Panchang Committee, the auspicious time to apply Tika this year is 11:53 a.m. on October 2.}

(Glimpses of the rituals performed in Nasal Ghar)

(Photos: Saroj Basnet)

Nepali version of the photo feature