KATHMANDU – Offering and receiving of ‘tika’ and ‘jamara’ continue today as part of Dashain. As per customs, elders give tika and jamara to the younger members of the family.
‘Tika’ is a mixture, in paste form, of curd, rice grains and red vermillion powder. ‘Jamara’ are newly-sprouted shoots of maize or barley. Family elders put tika on the forehead of their juniors and give jamara to them as blessings on the occasion of Dashami. The jamara and tika are considered auspicious blessings of the goddess Nawa Durga.
Offering and receiving tika and jamara takes place on the 10th day of the 15-day-long festival of Dashain. Although the 10th day is the main day of this festival, rituals continue until the 15th day of the full moon as well.
Nepalis celebrate the Dashain festival in a grand manner with much gaiety and fervour. During this period, people observe various associated rituals like worshipping the nine forms of the goddess Nawa Durga, who symbolises power and victory. Dashain is also celebrated to honour the victory of truth and good over evil.
It is also an occasion for family reunions and celebrations, especially for those who have gone away from home and returned during Dashain. However, celebrations have subdued this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. For this reason, people’s movement for the purpose of visiting relatives for receiving tika and jamara is less this year compared to previous years. As a result, they are observing the festival confined to their homes.
The number of people exiting Kathmandu valley, and the number of vehicles on the roads during Dashain is also very few this year.
