The main day of Dashain, Vijayadashami, is being celebrated on Thursday, with devotees receiving tika and jamara as blessings from elders. The tika, regarded as a symbol of auspiciousness, and jamara, symbolising prosperity, are offered as prasad of Goddess Durga after nine days of worship.

According to the Nepal Calendar Determination Committee, the most auspicious hour for receiving tika this year is at 11:53am. The committee has advised that those receiving tika should face east while those offering should face west. The tika is prepared with abhishek using water sanctified from the kalash established on Ghatasthapana day.

The committee further said that the time for the immersion of the goddess installed during Ghatasthapana is at 9:23am today. From today until Kojagrat Purnima, devotees may receive tika and jamara as prasad from elders. Along with tika, the jamara grown with Vedic rituals during Ghatasthapana is worn as a symbol of prosperity.

Jamara has also been scientifically proven to have medicinal value, with its juice working as a remedy for several illnesses. Ayurvedic doctors say that consuming jamara juice boosts immunity. They recommend its use, particularly this year, as dengue infection continues to spread in many districts.

Before receiving tika and prasad from elders, devotees perform abhishek with water from the kalash established during Ghatasthapana, which is believed to bring peace for the entire year. Vijayadashami, symbolising the victory of truth over falsehood and divine power over demonic force, is regarded as the most significant day of Dashain.

Hindu belief holds that Lord Ram defeated Ravana on this very day in the Treta Yuga, marking the beginning of the celebration of Vijayadashami as a symbol of victory.

On this day, priests, grandparents, parents and elders offer tika, jamara and prasad to younger family members, blessing them with long life, prosperity, strength, and success.

While offering tika to men, elders recite the mantra wishing them the age of Ashwatthama, the wealth of King Dasharath, the victory of Lord Ram, the prosperity of Nahusha, the speed of Vayu, the honour of Duryodhan, the bravery of Bhishma, the strength of Balaram, the generosity of Karna, the wisdom of Vidur and the glory of Narayan.

For women, regarded as manifestations of Goddess Durga, blessings are given with the mantra invoking her many forms — Jayanti, Mangala, Kali, Bhadrakali, Kapalini, Durga, Kshama, Shiva, Dhatri, Swaha and Swadha.

From today until Kojagrat Purnima, people will continue to visit elders to receive tika, jamara and blessings. In some regions, however, traditions dictate that tika and jamara be received only on Vijayadashami day itself, while in most places the practice continues until the full moon.