Nepal’s VVIPs Celebrate Bijaya Dashami with Tika Ceremony
In Kathmandu, Nepal’s top leaders, including President Ram Chandra Paudel and former King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah, celebrated Bijaya Dashami by offering ‘tika’ to the public. This religious mark, also known as tilak, is traditionally worn on the forehead. Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav also participated in the ceremony.
Many people queued at the residences of the President and Vice-President to receive ‘tika’. President Paudel offered ‘tika’ to officials and dignitaries from 2 pm to 3 pm, and to the general public from 3 pm to 5 pm at Sheetal Niwas. Former King Gyanendra resumed the tradition of offering ‘tika’ to the public at 4 pm, a practice paused since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Among those receiving ‘tika’ from the former King was Bollywood actress Manisha Koirala, who is of Nepali origin. The tenth day of Bada Dashain marks the end of the nine-day worship of Sri Durga Bhawani, with ‘tika’ and ‘jamara’ symbolizing prosperity. The festival celebrates the victory of truth over evil and divine forces over demonic forces.
Doubts Revealed
VVIPs -: VVIPs stands for Very Very Important Persons. These are people who hold high positions or have significant influence, like the President or Vice President of a country.
Bijaya Dashami -: Bijaya Dashami is a major Hindu festival celebrated in Nepal and India. It marks the victory of good over evil and is part of the larger festival of Dashain.
Tika Ceremony -: The Tika Ceremony is a traditional ritual where elders apply a mixture of rice, yogurt, and vermillion on the foreheads of younger family members as a blessing.
Ram Chandra Paudel -: Ram Chandra Paudel is the President of Nepal, a country located to the north of India.
Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav -: Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav is the Vice President of Nepal, assisting the President in his duties.
Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah -: Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah is a former King of Nepal. He was the last king before Nepal became a republic.
Manisha Koirala -: Manisha Koirala is a famous Bollywood actress from Nepal, known for her roles in Indian films.
COVID-19 -: COVID-19 is a disease caused by the coronavirus, which led to a global pandemic starting in 2019. It caused many events and traditions to be paused or changed to prevent the spread of the virus.
