Kojagrat Purnima celebrated, Dashain concludes

Kathmandu, October 5

Dashain, the greatest and longest annual festival of Nepali Hindus, concluded today by observing Kojagrat Purnima.

This is the final day for receiving tika, jamara, prasad and blessings from elder relatives.

Nepalis, in general, receive tika from seniors of their family on Vijaya Dashami, the 10th day of the festival, and continue it for the following five days.

Ghatasthapana is the first day of Bada Dashain. Also, on Kojagrat Purnima, the full moon day, devotees pay homage to Mahalaxmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.

The day also marks the beginning of preparations for the next greatest festival Tihar, which is just two weeks away, and Chhath.

On this day, devotees stay awake for the whole night performing rituals with a belief that the goddess Mahalaxmi would bless them with wealth and prosperity.

According to Hindu mythology, Mahalaxmi roams around the earth on the night of Ko-jagrat (who is awake) to see people who stay awake to worship her.

On this day, jamara (barley sprouts) grown during the festival is removed from the Dashain ghar and immersed into the holy rivers.

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