At the Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu, on Friday morning in the name of the father, after lighting a lamp and staying awake all night, on Saturday morning on the day of Bala Chaturdashi, a throng of devotees came to take a bath in the Bagmati River and sow Satbij in the Pashupat area. Photo: Hariram Vetuwal / Rss
Today marks the observance of Bala Chaturdashi at the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal. This Hindu festival is dedicated to honoring deceased loved ones. Devotees begin the day by taking a sacred bath in the Bagmati River and scattering Satbij, seven types of grains, along specific paths around the temple complex. This ritual symbolizes sowing the seeds of virtue and is believed to ensure peace for the departed souls.
The night prior, participants keep vigil by lighting oil lamps in memory of their loved ones at locations such as the Kailash area and Ram Mandir. The event draws thousands of people to the Pashupatinath Temple, making it one of the most spiritually significant festivals in Nepal.
While Bala Chaturdashi is most prominently celebrated at the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, it is observed in other parts of Nepal as well. However, the scale and rituals vary. Pashupatinath holds special significance due to its status as a major Hindu pilgrimage site and the association of the Bagmati River with purification and blessings.
In other regions, local temples dedicated to Lord Shiva or similar deities may hold smaller observances, where devotees conduct rituals in memory of their loved ones. The custom of scattering Satbij and lighting lamps might still occur, but the prominence and turnout are not as large as in Kathmandu.
