KATHMANDU, April 5: On the occasion of Chaitra Shukla Ashtami, Nepalis across the country are celebrating Chaite Dashain today by worshiping Goddess NavaDurga at home.
Hindus observe four Navaratras each year. Among them, only a few devotees observe the ones that fall during the lunar fortnights of Ashadh and Poush. However, some spiritual practitioners still worship Goddess Shakti during those less common periods.
During Navratra in Ashwin Shukla Paksha, devotees begin rituals with Ghatasthapana and plant Jamara (barley sprouts) on the first day. As a result, people refer to the Dashain celebrated during Ashwin as Bada Dashain. On Dashami, the tenth day, families apply Tika and Jamara from elders, a tradition that continues until Purnima (the full moon day).
In contrast, most families do not observe the Tika and Jamara custom during Chaite Dashain. However, at the Dashain Ghar (Dashain House) in Hanuman Dhoka, Kathmandu, devotees conduct Ghatasthapana and perform formal worship, including animal sacrifice, on Ashtami. The celebrations mainly focus on the eighth and ninth days—Ashtami and Navami. Devotees mark Ashtami as Chaite Dashain and observe Navami as Ram Navami, which commemorates the birth of Lord Ram, the eldest son of King Dasharath and Queen Kaushalya of Ayodhya in the Treta Yuga.
Like in Bada Dashain, devotees worship during Chaite Dashain to seek blessings for peace and prosperity in this life and liberation in the afterlife. Families also gather and celebrate the occasion together.
Devotees offer special prayers at major temples and shrines across the Kathmandu Valley, including Guhyeshwari, Jaya Bageshwari, Maitidevi, Naxal Bhagawati, Bhadrakali, Shobha Bhagawati, Kalikasthan, Bajrayogini, Indrayani, Bijeshwari, Sundari Mai, and Chamunda Devi.
Outside the Valley, temples such as Palanchok Bhagawati, Chandeshwori, Nala Bhagawati, Palchok Bhagawati, Shaileshwari, Bageshwari, Gahwa Mai, Manakamana, and Kalika Devi also attract devotees who perform special rituals during Chaitra Navratra. Many believe that visiting these Shakti Peethas during the festival grants divine energy and fulfills personal wishes.
Since Chaitra Shukla Pratipada (the first day of the lunar fortnight), priests at the Dashain Ghar have been performing special rituals and reciting the Durga Saptashati (Chandi). Until 2006, the Dashain Ghar operated under the royal palace at Narayanhiti. Today, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation oversees its activities.