KATHMANDU: The Vijaya Dashami festival, observed on the 10th day of the waxing moon in the month of Asoj as per the lunar calendar, was marked with much fervour by Nepalis across the country and overseas as well on Saturday.

On the day of the Vijaya Dashami, people visit the homes of the senior and elder members if the family and receive the tika and jamara from them as the auspicious talisman of the goddess Durga. They also receive blessings from the elders, enjoy delicacies and sumptuous food at the family gatherings.

In the capital city Kathmandu, people were busy going to the homes of senior members of the family for the purpose of receiving tika and jamara.

On the occasion, the President first received tika and jamara from the priest at the Hanumandhoka at the auspicious hour 11:55 am, she then gave tika and jamara to her family members and relatives and also to VVIPs including the Vice-President and the Prime Minister as well as to the other dignitaries and government officials. She also offered tika to the civilians.

The Kathmandu Valley, which almost saw very little movement of people and traffic on the roads from the day of Fulpati, saw some more people and traffic today on the day of Vijaya Dashami.

Tika is a mixture of rice grains, red vermillion powder and curd in paste form which is put as blessing on the forehead by the family elders and seniors as the talisman of the goddess Durga. It symbolises victory and good luck.

Similarly, jamara is the barley or maize shoots that are specially sown to germinate on the first day of the 10-day Bada Dashain festival and put on behind the ears of the males and tucked on the hair or the ponytails of the females in blessing on the Bada Dashain. Jamara is also considered auspicious blessing of goddess Durga, who symbolises power.