Kathmandu. Today, on the main day of Bada Dashain i.e. Durga Paksha, the red tika symbolizing auspicious time and Jamara symbolizing prosperity are being applied by the elders in the form of offerings of Navdurga.

The offerings of the goddess who are worshiped for nine days in the Dashain house or worship room are offered by the elders today. The Nepal Calendar Determination Development Committee has said that the auspicious time of 10:26 am today is the best time for those looking for an auspicious time to receive Tika Prasad.

Committee Chair Prof Purushottam Bhattarai said the general public need not seek an auspicious time to receive the tika today.

“The governor should give the tika at an auspicious time, the auspicious time has been given as there is a scriptural saying that the lord, mantra and enthusiasm will be obtained by applying tika at an auspicious time,” he said.

The Bijaya Dashami tika is applied by anointing the pot installed on the day of Ghatasthapana according to the Vedic rituals. The Bijaya Dashami festival, which is celebrated on the day of Ashwin Shukla Dashami, is celebrated today with great enthusiasm by offering tika and jamara to Durga Bhawani. Those who do not attend today will be able to receive tika from the elders on the occasion of Kojagrat Purnima until all the sacrifices are fulfilled.

The auspicious time for immersion of the goddess is 8:49 am today.

Putting it west, putting it back east

Prof Dr. Devmani Bhattarai, a religious scholar and former member of the committee, said that people seeking tika should return to the west as the moon is in Aquarius on the day of Bijaya Dashami. He also said that if this happens, it will be in front of those who ask for it.

There is a classical belief that those who give tika should face east. He said that this should be done because it is auspicious to turn the moon to the right and face. The direction of return of the person who gives the tika will be determined on the basis of the zodiac sign of the moon till the day of Kojagrat Purnima.

From today till the full moon day, while receiving tika as a prasad of Durga from the elders, along with other flowers, the yellow jamara kept according to the Vedic rituals on the day of Ghatasthapana is considered a symbol of prosperity. The fact that Jamara works as a medicine for various diseases has also been scientifically proven.

The consecration of the full urn established on the day of Ghatasthapana brings peace throughout the year.

The Bijaya Dashami festival is celebrated in commemoration of the victory of truth over evil and the victory of divine forces over demonic forces.

It is believed that on this day in the Treta Yuga, Lord Rama won over Ravana, who became the symbol of falsehood, and since then the celebration of Bijaya Dashami has been started. Therefore, this day is also considered as a symbol of victory.

Today, the Guru Purohit, Grandparents, Grandparents, Fathers, Mothers, Dignitaries and elders offer tika, jamara and prasad of Nava Durga Bhawani and seek blessings from them for fame, prosperity, increase in working capacity and long life.

Such mantras are blessed when the tika is applied on Bijaya Dashami.

O son of Ayu, Drona, and wealth, Dasharatha, and the destruction of enemies, O Raghava.

Wealth in Nahusha, movement, and pride in the wind, and pride in Duryodhana.

Bravery, strength in Shantanu, and charity in Haladhara, O son of Kunti.

Let your knowledge be distant, and let your fame be Narayana.

That is, may there be life like Ashwatthama, the son of Dronacharya, the glory like the king of Ayodhya, the destruction of the enemy like the son of Dasharatha, the opulence of King Nahusha, the speed of the wind, the honor like Duryodhana, the braveness like Bhishma, the strength of Balarama, the generosity like the son of Kunti, the knowledge and science of Vidura, the fame of Narayana.

This mantra is said to bless men, especially when giving tika to men. Women are considered to be the form of Goddess Durga and are blessed with the following mantras.

Jayanti Mangala Kali Bhadrakali Kapalini

Durga, Kshama, Shiva, Dhatri, Swaha, Swadha, Namo’stute.

That is, I bow down to the goddess named Jayanti, Mangala, Kali, Bhadrakali, Kapani, Durga, Kshama, Shiva, Dhatri, Swaha and Svadha. From today till the day of Kojagrat Purnima, people walk on the path to receive tika, jamara and blessings from the elders as the blessings of Durga. In some parts of Nepal, red tika and jamara are worn as the prasad of Durga Bhawani only on Vijayadashami i.e. today.

Some castes have also been wearing white tika of curd and akshata as per the family tradition.