KATHMANDU: The 10th day of the Bada Dashain festival, Bijaya Dashami, is being celebrated across the country today with great enthusiasm as people receive tika, jamara and blessings from their elders.
Red tika symbolizes good fortune and victory, while jamara represents prosperity. Both are regarded as auspicious offerings and blessings of Goddess Nawadurga.
According to Prof. Purushottam Bhattarai, chairperson of the Nepal Calendar Determination Development Committee, the immersion of the goddess in rivers and ponds as part of religious rituals is scheduled for 8:49 am today, while the auspicious time for receiving tika is 10:26 am.
Although 10:26 am has been designated as the auspicious time to receive the goddess’s prasad, the entire day after the immersion of the goddess is considered auspicious for receiving tika, Prof. Bhattarai said.
The nine-day worship of Goddess Durga Bhawani at Dashain Ghar concludes formally on Bijaya Dashami. The tika ceremony begins after the ritual sprinkling of holy water.
People continue receiving tika and jamara from their elders and relatives until the full moon day. Tika and jamara are considered auspicious blessings of Goddess Nawadurga and symbolize good fortune and prosperity.
It is also believed that people do not need to consult an auspicious time to begin new ventures, undertake campaigns or embark on journeys on Bijaya Dashami, as the day itself is considered highly auspicious. Bijaya Dashami is celebrated to commemorate the triumph of truth over evil and the victory of divine forces over demonic powers.