KATHMANDU, Dec 11: The Bala Chaturdashi festival is being celebrated across the country by scattering Saatbij (seven different kinds of sacred grains) in temples across the country including Pashupatinath, wishing for the good fortune of the departed family members. The devotees, who spent the whole night on Sunday lighting oil lamps, observed Bala Chaturdashi this morning on the day of Margashirsha Krishna Chaturdashi (the fourth day of Margashirsha Maas, according to Hindu calendar).    

There is a large presence of devotees from different parts of the country at Pashupatinath to celebrate the Bala Chaturdashi festival. Devotees who are unable to come to Pashupatinath perform Maha Deep Daan from the evening of Trayodashi (thirteenth day of the lunar fortnight) in the temple of lord Shiva near their homes and scatter Saatbij in the morning of Chaturdashi.

Devotees from different parts of the country thronged Pashupati since Sunday morning to reserve the place to light the lamp.

Saatbij are scattered at 108 Shiva lingas, Kailash, Suryaghat, Gaurighat, Aryaghat, Guhyeshwari, Pashupati, Mrigasthali, Bishworoop and Kirateshwar etc, to wish for the eternal peace of the departed soul in their families.