By Our Correspondent, Mahottari, Oct. 12: Festive activities have increased across Mahottari, from villages to urban areas, with the start of Bada Dashain, also known as Sharadiya Navaratri.
Durga idols have been installed and fairs organised at various locations across the district, while special prayers have begun at famous temples and shrines. A total of 40 Durga fairs are being held in the district this year.
Special prayers and religious programmes have been planned at several religious sites, including Sonasati (Sonamai) Temple in Aurahi Municipality-7, Panchadhura Mai Sthan in Bardibas Municipality-4, Sansari Mai Temple and Rajdevi Temple in Jaleshwar. The Durga fairs in Sonamai, Jaleshwar, Matihani, Ramgopalpur, Gaushala and Sitapur Bazaar are among the major attractions.
Known as ‘Dashahara’ in the local Maithili language, Dashain begins with Ghatasthapana, the first day of Navaratri. Religious activities have increased at temples, sacred shrines and places where Durga idols are being made. Worship, devotional singing and the recitation of religious texts have begun in homes. Preparations for the fairs, including idol-making, pavilion decoration and event management, are also gaining pace.
According to Maithili tradition, unmarried girls bring holy water from rivers and ponds in new earthen or metal pots and place sacred pots in temple premises on Ghatasthapana.
Special worship and religious processions are also being prepared at various shrines in Mahottari. Devotees traditionally collect water from the Ratu River and religiously significant ponds and lakes, including Laxmi Sagar, Purandar, Barun, Dhruvakunda and Bhargav Sar, for worship.
Maithili cultural expert Dhruva Rai said that the Mithila region observes two Navaratris each year. The nine-day festival from the first day to the ninth day of the bright fortnight of Ashoj is known as Sharadiya Navaratri, while the festival observed during the same period in Chaitra is called Basanti Navaratri.
Although both have religious significance, Sharadiya Navaratri holds special importance in Mithila as part of Dashain celebrations, he said.
People also grow Jamara, sacred shoots of barley, sesame, wheat, rice and maize, in their homes during Navaratri. Worship begins on the first day with prayers to Goddess Shailaputri, followed by Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri on successive days. The rituals continue until the ninth day. On Dashami, devotees perform the final worship and receive Jamara as a blessing.
Villagers are also installing traditional swings and Durga idols, and preparing for the fairs. The arrival of devotees and visitors is expected to boost shopping and movement in market areas.
Meanwhile, security has been tightened in Mahottari to prevent possible incidents, manage crowds and control unwanted activities during the festival. Chief District Officer Indradev Yadav said that an integrated security plan had been introduced, with 1,331 security personnel from Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force deployed across the district.
Security agencies will focus on crowd management, maintaining law and order and preventing possible accidents at major shrines and fair venues. Monitoring has also been increased to prevent theft, disputes, road accidents and other criminal activities during the festival.
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