KATHMANDU: People across Nepal are celebrating the main day of the Bada Dashain festival, Vijaya Dashami, by receiving tika and jamara from their elders.
The auspicious time for receiving the tika was set at 10:26 a.m. today by the Nepal Calendar Determination Development Committee.
The ritual involves applying red tika and wearing yellow jamara, which were initiated on the day of Ghatasthapana.
According to traditional belief, the person receiving the tika should face west, while the person applying it should face east to ensure the moon remains in an auspicious position.
Professor Purushottam Bhattarai, chairman of the committee, stated that while Vijaya Dashami is considered an auspicious day, allowing people to receive tika throughout the day, the specified time is particularly significant for state officials to receive divine blessings and energy.
The festival symbolizes the victory of truth over falsehood and divine power over demonic forces. It is traditionally believed that Lord Rama achieved victory over Ravana on this day in the Treta Yuga. The yellow jamara, which is worn alongside the tika, is considered a symbol of prosperity and has been scientifically recognized for its medicinal properties.
While the tradition of receiving tika continues until Kojagrat Purnima, some regions and communities in Nepal observe the practice only on the day of Vijaya Dashami. Additionally, certain groups follow their ancestral traditions by applying white tika made from a mixture of curd and rice grains.
