Balachaturdashi being observed commemorating departed family members

KATHMANDU, Nov 29: The Bala Chaturdashi festival is observed throughout the country today by commemorating the departed souls. Devotees gathered in the Shiva temples including the Pashupatinath Temple since last night to observe the festival. 

In the night, they light lamps in commemoration of the departed family members and spend the night observing a vigil. In the wee hours the next day, the devotees sow the Satbeej (seven kinds of grains) along the premises of the shrines this morning.  

The festival is formally begun in the night of the 13th day of the waning moon in the month of Mangsir and is concluded today by spreading the Satbeej along the premises of shrines of Hindu god Shiva. 

A large number of devotees have thronged the Pashupatinath Temple to observe the Bala Chaturdashi festival, according to the source. Those unable to visit reached the temples of Shiva nearby their residences and localities and observed the festival