Vijaya Dashami today, 11:29 auspicious for Tika

KATHMANDU, OCT 24 - Hindus across the country and abroad, have been celebrating Vijaya Dashami, the tenth and the most important day of the Dashain festival, on Wednesday by receiving Tika and Jamara as the token of Goddess Durga along with the blessings from their elders.

 To mark the day, people visit their families and relatives to receive Tika—a mixture of rice, yogurt and vermillion—and Jamara—seedlings of wheat and other corns sown on Ghatasthapana and grown in dark for nine days.

 According to Nepal Panchanga Deciding Committee, the most auspicious time to put Tika is 11:29 am.

 Generally, the head of the family puts Tika on others. This function continues for four more days. Dashain ends on the full moon day, the fifteenth day, which is also observed as Kojagrata.

 Dashain is the longest and the most auspicious festival of Hindus in Nepal. Even some Buddhists join the merriment.

 Goddess Durga is worshipped in all her manifestations throughout Dashain , commemorating the victory of the gods over the demons.

Meanwhile, President Ram Baran Yadav will offer tika to general public from 12.30 pm today on the occasion of the Dashami festival.

 According to the President's office, the gate of Shital Niwas would remain open until 5.00 pm today for receiving tika

Likewise, former King Gyanendra Shah will also offer tika today.

 Source: ekantipur