Dashain Tika and Blessings Marked with Festivity; Foreign Tourists Celebrate Dashain in Sauraha Following Nepali Traditions

Kathmandu / Oct. 02: Vijaya Dashami, the most important day of the Dashain festival celebrated across the country, by receiving tika and jamara from elders as symbols of blessings, prosperity, and victory of good over evil.

The Panchang Determination Committee announced that the auspicious hour for tika was 11:53 am, though experts clarified that the day itself is inherently auspicious.

“Those in state leadership follow the designated saait, but for the general public, tika can be received at any time today,” the committee said.

Tika is prepared using offerings from nine days of worship since Ghatasthapana. Alongside tika, the yellow jamara germinated during the festival is worn as a sign of well-being, with scientific studies even noting its medicinal value.

Before tika, devotees perform an abhishek (ritual sprinkling) with sacred water from the kalash, symbolizing peace for the year ahead.

After receiving blessings and offerings of Goddess Durga from elders at home, people across the country have begun visiting relatives to exchange Tika and Jamara, adding festive vibrancy to Kathmandu and other cities.

While the capital remained relatively quiet on Wednesday during Mahanavami, the atmosphere has brightened today with the onset of Vijayadashami. People adorned with red Tika on their foreheads and Jamara on their heads were seen heading out to receive further blessings from relatives and acquaintances.

The practice of offering and receiving Tika and Jamara, symbolic of Goddess Durga’s blessings, will continue until Kojagrat Purnima. Despite the increase in public movement, public transport services in the capital have remained limited, forcing passengers to travel in overcrowded vehicles. Heavy rainfall during this year’s Dashain has also slightly affected travel plans for those visiting relatives for blessings. Both Mahanavami and Thursday morning witnessed rainfall in Kathmandu and other parts of the country.

Foreign Tourists Celebrate Dashain in Sauraha

Meanwhile, in Sauraha—Nepal’s third most popular tourist destination—foreign visitors marked the festival by embracing Nepali traditions. Tourists staying at Green Park Chitwan Hotel celebrated Dashain by receiving Tika and Jamara, a gesture that allowed them to experience Nepal’s rich cultural heritage firsthand.

Hotel Resident Manager Radha Shrestha said the visitors were delighted to take part in the celebrations and learn more about Nepal’s biggest festival.

“We had earlier launched a campaign with tourists themselves during Tourism Day, including helicopter charters, to spread the message that Nepal is safe to visit despite the challenges of the Jenji movement,” Shrestha explained. “This Dashain, we celebrated together with the tourists to show that Nepal is not only safe but also offers a unique cultural experience.”