Dashain exodus begins as thousands leave Kathmandu for home

KATHMANDU: The biggest Hindu festival, Bada Dashain, officially began today with Ghatasthapana rituals being observed across the country.

The 15-day festival runs from Ashwin Shukla Pratipada to Ashwin Shukla Purnima and is celebrated with great fervor nationwide.

On the first day, households across Nepal performed the Ghatasthapana ceremony by lighting lamps and installing a sacred kalash and Ganesh idol, invoking Goddess Durga as per Vedic tradition. The rituals mark the start of the fortnight-long celebrations that culminate in family gatherings, feasts, and the exchange of blessings.

With the festival underway, the annual exodus from Kathmandu toward home districts has begun. Major exit points of the Valley, including Kalanki, Koteshwar, Balaju, Balkhu, and Jorpati, saw heavy traffic since early morning as thousands of people boarded buses to return to their hometowns.

New Bus Park and other major transport hubs were crowded with passengers, while traffic police reported rising pressure on highways leading out of the Valley.

Authorities have deployed additional personnel to manage road safety and ensure smooth travel during the festival rush.