Devotees Celebrated Bala Chaturdashi Festival in Memory of Ancestors Early in the Morning

Kathmandu — Devotees who observed an all-night vigil offering oil lamps (Deepdan) on Tuesday night celebrated the Bala Chaturdashi festival this morning by scattering Satbij (a mixture of seven types of grains) in memory of their ancestors. 

Every year, devotees from various parts of the country gather at Pashupatinath on the day of Mārgashīrsha Krishna Chaturdashi (the 14th day of the waning moon in the month of Mangsir) to observe this festival.

Devotees scatter Satbij at places like the 108 Shivalingas, Kailash, Suryaghat, Gaurighat, Aryaghat, Guhyeshwari, Pashupati, Mrigasthali, Vishwaroop, and Kiranteshwar, praying for the eternal peace of the departed souls of their family members.

Currently, the practice of scattering Saptabij (seven types of grains: paddy, barley, sesame, wheat, chickpeas, maize, and millet) has become more common instead of the original Satbij. 

Devotees also visit the Deaf Ganesh shrine located in Mrigasthali and request the Shila (stone) of Ganesh to shake it, believing this will convey their message to the departed souls.

According to religious texts, "On this day, scattering one seed in the holy ground where Lord Shiva roamed in the form of a deer (Mrigarup) is equivalent to donating a gold grain, granting merit, and ensuring the liberation of the departed souls."

As per legend, it is believed that when Lord Shiva was roaming in the form of a deer at Mrigasthali along the banks of the Bagmati River, Parvati scattered various seeds and was thus able to recognize Shiva.

Image: Nepal Photo Library