Ghatasthapana in Nepal

When did the Ghatasthapana in Nepal start?

The first recorded date of Ghatasthapana in Nepal being celebrated on October 15 was in the year 1997.

About Ghatasthapana in Nepal Holiday

Ghatasthapana in Nepal is a beautiful time of the year to travel and explore the country. It marks the beginning of the Hindu Lunar Calendar year, celebrating new beginnings, growth and prosperity. This Hindu festival is celebrated throughout the country, especially in major cities like Kathmandu, Janakpur, Pokhara and Chitwan.

Ghatasthapana stands out among other Hindu festivals in Nepal. During this celebration, it is customary to conduct prayers and chants in temples and observe the placement of the “Kalash” – a holy pot, symbolizing fertility and divine energy. The festival begins with a somber atmosphere that later shifts to joy, with children lighting diyas, locals playing traditional musical instruments and traditional food being served. The stunning decorated temples are also a sight to behold.

Ghatasthapana is definitely a memorable experience and allows travellers an opportunity to soak in the culture and religious values of Nepal. Immerse yourself in the beautiful festivities and indulge in some of the country’s finest traditions and customs. Ghatasthapana is a truly enchanting event.

Ghatasthapana in Nepal – 2000 Word Article

History and Origin

Ghatasthapana is one of the most important and widely celebrated holidays in Nepal. It marks the beginning of a nine-day festive period known as the Navratri Festival, which culminates in the Vijayadashami. Ghatasthapana is the first day of the Navratri festival, and is observed on the first day of the bright half of the Hindu lunar month of Ashvin, as per the Hindu calendar.

Ghatasthapana, also sometimes referred to as Kalasthapana, is an ancient Hindu custom that has been celebrated since ages in parts of India and Nepal. The tradition of Ghatasthapana is said to have originated during the Vedic period. It is believed that Ghatasthapana was conducted by King Janaka of the Ramayana era and has been popular among Hindus since then. Its deeper meaning is a reference to the creation of everything.

Ghatasthapana marks the start of the celebration of the divine feminine power – Devi Durga – where devotees perform an individual worship of the Goddess in a pot full of soil along with the symbolic sowing of grains. This symbolizes the effective transition from the harshness of summer into the crops of autumn.

In the traditional culture of Nepal, Ghatasthapana is believed to bring in good luck and prosperity, and is celebrated with grand enthusiasm. It is a very common practice to offer worship to various Gods and Goddesses at the beginning of important tasks.

This day is also a time of great significance to the Nepali farmer, as it is an ideal time for sowing of grains like rice, maize, barley, and wheat. People also take part in various religious activities and rituals during the nine days of the festival, including the veneration of Goddess Durga.

Significance and Meaning

Ghatasthapana has a deep spiritual significance in Nepali culture. It not only marks the commencement of Navratri festivities, but it is also seen as a representation of the transition into new and better times. People perform this puja in the hope that it will bring them abundance and prosperity in the coming days.

Ghatasthapana is a ritual for purifying the soul. It is an opportunity for people to introspect and do away with negative tendencies and emerge from the puja as better versions of themselves. The symbolic sowing of grains in the pot of mud is seen as a reminder of the principle of karma – that one must sow goodness to reap its benefits.

Traditions and Celebrations

Ghatasthapana is a popular custom across Nepal, as well as parts of India. It traditionally marks the beginning of the nine-day Navratri Festival, and is celebrated with much fervor and enthusiasm.

The traditional way of celebrating Ghatasthapana starts at dawn, when people fill a large earthen pot with mud and sow grain seeds in it. This pot is then kept at an auspicious place, such as one’s own house/business premise or a temple, and is decorated with flowers.

Devotees then perform puja to the Goddess Durga, sprinkle holy water around the pot and invoke her blessings. The puja is also accompanied by ringing bells and chanting of mantras. After the puja is finished, the pot is kept in the place of worship for the entire nine-day period.

During the nine-day long festival, numerous rituals are observed including observing fasts, offering prayers, and visiting temples to seek blessings. Throughout the entire festive period, people are seen wearing traditional clothes. At the end of the festival, devotees break their fasts and indulge in feasts and processions.

Geographical Spread

The celebration of Ghatasthapana is particularly popular in the Hindu-dominated region of the subcontinent, especially in Nepal. This grand festival is observed in most parts of the country either during Ashtami (the eight-day of the festival) or Navami (the nine-day of the festival).

However, each region has its own way of celebrating this popular holiday. In some parts of Nepal, Ghatasthapana is celebrated with a procession to various temples, differing from region to region.

In the Nepali capital Kathmandu, the main venue of the puja is Hanuman Dhoka near the royal palace. Another notable venue is the Baneshwar temple in Pokhara. Every major city and town of Nepal celebrates Ghatasthapana in its own unique way.

Modern Day Observances

The tradition of Ghatasthapana is still prominent in contemporary times. However, in the recent past, some changes have been made to keep the celebration relevant in the present. The holiday is celebrated with much pomp and gaiety with Devotional musical programs and cultural programs being organized by various social and religious groups.

Moreover, the symbolic profoundness of Ghatasthapana has made it an occasion of great devotion and spirituality. The puja of the Goddess is performed with utmost reverence and people from all across Nepal come to be a part of this great spiritual occasion.

Interesting Facts or Trivia

• Ghatasthapana is derived from two words ’Ghat’ and ‘Sthapana’, which together signify the ‘Installation of a Pot’.

• Ghatasthapana is also known by the names Jayanti Kalassthapana and Durga Puja.

• Ghatasthapana marks the beginning of the nine-day Navaratri Festival which culminates in one of the most important Hindu festivals, the Vijayadashami.

• Ghatasthapana is also known as Kalasthapana in certain parts of India.

• The ritual of Ghatasthapana is held as per Vastu and the pots are generally placed in the east direction.

• Ghee, holy water, and grains are placed in the pot as offerings to the Goddess.

• The pot filled with soil is also referred to as Kalash, and the ritual performed in its honor is known as a Kalasthapana.

• The ritual is believed to bring peace, prosperity, and abundance in the family and is celebrated with much fervor.

• The nine-day festival of Navaratri culminates in Dussehra or Vijayadashami.

• The pot is worshipped for the entire nine-day period and is eventually taken out and immersed in a body of water on the last day of the festival.

• Ghatasthapana is also symbolically connected to relationships and marriage in Nepal, as the day marks the end of summer and a time to cultivate a new relationship with love and commitment.

Holiday Wishes

1. Wishing you a very happy Ghatasthapana!
2. May the sacredness of this day bring joy and happiness to your life.
3. Let the auspicious vibes of Ghatasthapana bring in peace and prosperity to you and your family.
4. Wishing you the grandest celebrations on this special day!
5. May Ghatasthapana fill your life with abundance and joy.

Holiday Messages

1. May the spiritual significance of Ghatasthapana bring you peace and happiness everywhere.
2. As you celebrate Ghatasthapana, may the divine power bring abundance in your life.
3. May the divine energy of goddess Durga fill your life with joy and contentment.
4. Let’s honor the spirit of Ghatasthapana by celebrating it with joy and piety.
5. On the day of Ghatasthapana, wishing you success, prosperity, and luck.

Holiday Quotes

1. “The true beauty of Ghatasthapana lies in its celebration of goodness, abundance, and new beginnings.” – Unknown
2. “Run away from evil and perform the rituals of Ghatasthapana.” – Vedic Lites
3. “Ghatasthapana – the beginning of a time for praying, giving, and being thankful.” – Anonymous
4. “Ghatasthapana is a day of focusing on the good and reflecting on the power of nurturing hope.” – Karina Halle
5. “Ghatasthapana is the beginning of new possibilities.” – Unknown

Other Popular Holiday Info

Ghatasthapana is an important traditional holiday in Nepal, celebrated not only to commemorate the start of the Navratri festival but also to evoke blessings of the divine. As the day is celebrated with much joy and enthusiasm, numerous special food delicacies are prepared as offerings to the Goddess. Some of the most popular Nepali delicacies prepared include sweet dumplings, dhido (a dish of maize, wheat flour, and spices), yoghurt, pakauri (Saurabi), and Dal-Bhat (lentil soup).

Apart from its cultural and spiritual significance, Ghatasthapana is also said to be a holiday for the family. On this day, families come together to celebrate the spirit of unity and perform various rituals such as visiting ancient temples, fasting, and seek the blessings of the Almighty. Moreover, Ghatasthapana is also believed to be a time for personal introspection, purification, and growth.

Ghatasthapana is an important holiday in Nepal’s cultural calendar and marks the start of the festive season. It is celebrated with much enthusiasm and devotion and reminds us of the importance of taking care of the environment, celebrating goodness, and keeping our culture alive and vibrant.

Wishing you a very Happy Ghatasthapana!