Nepal is observing Ghatasthapana, which is the start of the fortnight-long Dashain festival.

Ghatasthapana, which signifies the first day of Bada Dashain, falls on Aswin Shukla Pratipada. According to the Nepal Calendar Fixation Committee, the auspicious time for Ghatasthapana this year is 11:29 a.m. It involves the ceremonial sowing of maize and barley seeds in a pot filled with soil, accompanied by Vedic rituals, initiating the germination of the auspicious Jamara.

The first nine days of Dashain is called Navaratri. The nine-day long, Navaratri Parva is dedicated to the nine incarnations of the Hindu goddess Durga. During Navaratri, each night is devoted to the goddess and worshipped under her various names.

On the first day, people worship Shailaputri and progress with reverence for deities such as Brhamacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalarati, Mahagauri, and Siddhirati. After that, the Dashain tika continues until Kojagrat Purnima, which is the fifth day following the day of Vijaya Dashami.

The Committee has announced that the auspicious time for Phulpati as 9:35 am on October 21, and for the Dashain tika, it is 11:02 a.m. on October 24.