Madhesi parties say will continue Nepal-India border blockade

The Samyukta Loktantrik Madheshi Morcha has decided to continue their agitation in Nepal against the Constitution.

In a meeting held here, the SLMM said that it has rejected the government's demand to call off the blockade along the Indo-Nepal border in view of the forthcoming festival of Dashain, and added that steps will be taken to restrict movement of essential supplies into and out of Nepal.

The decision came on a day when Dashain, the greatest and longest festival of Hindu Nepalis, officially began with Ghatasthapana, where people perform a ritual to set up a ghata or pot, in which they sow seeds of barley, wheat, corn and rice in their homes and temples as per Vedic tradition.

The sprouted seedlings are called Jamara and are offered along with tika on the 10th day, which is observed as Vijaya Dashami. On this day - the main day of the Dashain festival - elders and seniors offer tika and jamara to younger relatives and subordinates and bless them.

Nepal will observe Mahaashtami along with Kalratri Puja on October 21. Mahanavami and Vijaya Dashami will be celebrated on October 22. (ANI)

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