11:02AM most auspicious time for Dashain tika

Kathmandu / Oct 3: Nepal Calendar Determination Committee (Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Samiti) has said that 11:02AM is the most auspicious time for receiving and offering tika and blessings on on October 24 on the occasion of Bada Dashain, the greatest festival of Nepalis.

However, since Bijaya Dashami, or the tenth day of the Bada Dashain festival is itself auspicious, tika can be received and put at any time on the day, the committee said. Likewise, the auspicious hour for Devi Bisarjan is 10:37AM.

Hindus of Nepal living within the country and abroad are preparing for the Dashain tika ritual along with family reunion starting from October 15.

Tika is the mixture of rice grains, curd and red vermilion powder formed into a paste and put on the forehead as a blessing of the goddess Durga on the 10th day of the Dashain festival.

Similarly, jamara is either the newly-germinated barley or maize shoots that are worn behind the ears as an auspicious item during Dashain.