Blessings continue on fourth day of Tika as Yala Kumari gives tika in Patan

People are continuing to receive tika, jamara and blessings from elders today, the fourth day of Dashain tika. The tradition, which began on Vijayadashami, Kartik 4, continues as per custom until Kojagrat Purnima, though in some districts of western Nepal tika is applied only on Dashami. This year, Kojagrat Purnima falls tomorrow, Sunday, Kartik 8.

According to Dr Purushottam Bhattarai, chairperson of the Nepal Panchang Nirnayak Vikas Samiti, there is no scriptural objection to applying the prasad of Navadurga on Purnima, as long as it is before the completion of the full bali offering.

Today, on Trayodashi, the living goddess Yala Kumari gave tika and jamara to the public at the main courtyard of Patan Durbar in Lalitpur. With this, Dashain tika has formally concluded for the Newar community of Patan. The Kumari, regarded as a symbol of Taleju Bhawani, first gives tika to the chief priest, gubhaju and local naike of the Kumari house on Vijayadashami, after which the opportunity opens to devotees. This tradition, dating back to the Malla era, is considered a major cultural identity of Patan.

Meanwhile, as people who celebrated Dashain in their villages head out to relatives' homes for tika, the streets and markets of the capital, quiet for the past few days, have become busier. However, with fewer vehicles running, passengers have had to travel crowded on public transport.