GHATASTHAPANA

Dasain Festival starts with Ghatasthapana day. In other words, celebration of Dasain begins with ceremonial Ghastasthapa. This falls on the first day of the bright fortnight of Ashwin (September/October). Ghatasthapan literally means setting a ceremonial water jar at a certain purified place in one’s household following the instructions of the holy scriptures. The ceremonial water jar symbolizes the Shakti or energy of Devi Durga, which is worshipped during the entire period of Dasain. This would usually take place on the top floor of the Nepalese homes symbolizing detachment.
It does not necessarily mean that there won’t be anything festive to see in the streets. One of the main features of this festival is the colourful crowd of devotees thronging temples to make offerings, all dressed in their best attire. One can see them almost everywhere at the temples, along the sideways, and likewise in many other places.
Different communities have their own ways of observing this day. Newars and some other tribes   make panels of sand-plates, plant seeds of auspicious flowers and cover up the sands with a huge pot. The seeds soon grow into flowers to be pluked or picked up on the eight or ninth day for use in worshipping ritual. When the seedlings are long enough to be picked, it seems to add a great colour to the festivity of Dasain. It reminds us of the beaming beauty of kumari-hood  (creative energy) which makes everybody feel quite happy. The yellow-green colour of this ceremonial seeding reflects and spread over refreshing flavour to the festivity.