Dashain Festival Of Nepal
Dashain is the most important and widely celebrated festival in Nepal. Also known as Vijaya Dashami, it is a 15-day-long festival that usually falls in September or October, depending on the lunar calendar. Dashain holds great significance for the Hindu population of Nepal and is celebrated with immense joy and enthusiasm.
During Dashain, people honor the victory of the goddess Durga over the demon Mahisasura. It symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. The festival also marks the end of the monsoon season and the beginning of the harvest season in Nepal.
The festival begins with the Ghatasthapana, where a pot is filled with holy water and sown with barley seeds. This pot, known as "Jamara," is placed in homes and temples and is worshipped daily. The germination of the barley symbolizes prosperity and abundance.
The first nine days of Dashain are called Navaratri, during which devotees worship various forms of the goddess Durga. People visit temples, offer prayers, and perform religious rituals. The eighth day, known as Maha Ashtami, is considered particularly auspicious. On this day, animal sacrifices are made at the temples as an offering to the goddess.
The tenth day of Dashain is Vijaya Dashami, the most important day of the festival. It is believed that on this day, Lord Rama defeated the demon king Ravana in the epic Ramayana. People celebrate by receiving blessings from their elders and exchanging Tika and Jamara—a mixture of red vermillion powder, rice, and barley shoots—which represents good luck and protection.
Throughout the festival, families come together, and people wear new clothes. They indulge in feasts, visit relatives and friends, fly kites, play traditional games, and enjoy various cultural performances. It is a time of joy, reunion, and merriment for people of all ages.
Dashain holds significant cultural and religious importance in Nepal and is a time when people take a break from their daily routines to celebrate their heritage and traditions. Some major activities during dashain:
Worship of Vehicles: During Dashain, people also worship vehicles as a part of their tradition. They clean and decorate their vehicles, and offer prayers for their safety and prosperity. This practice is known as "vehicle puja."
Animal Sacrifices: While the tradition of animal sacrifices during Dashain has been controversial, it remains a significant aspect of the festival for some communities. Buffaloes, goats, and other animals are sacrificed at temples as an offering to the goddess Durga.
Flying Kites: Flying kites is a popular activity during Dashain, especially among children and young adults. The sky becomes filled with colorful kites of various shapes and sizes, creating a festive atmosphere. Kite flying competitions are also held, with participants trying to cut the strings of their opponents' kites.
Gambling: Playing card games and gambling is another common practice during Dashain. Families and friends gather to play traditional card games like "Rummy" and "Mendikot," enjoying friendly competition and bonding over the games.
Temporary Swing Structures: Swing structures known as "ping" or "pingos" are constructed in many places during Dashain. These swings are made by tying ropes to tall trees or bamboo poles, and people take turns swinging on them. It is a fun and exhilarating activity, especially for children.
Reunion and Family Gatherings: Dashain is a time when family members living in different parts of Nepal or abroad often return to their ancestral homes to celebrate together. It is a time for reunion, sharing meals, and strengthening family bonds.
These are just a few highlights of the Dashain festival in Nepal. The festival is deeply ingrained in Nepali culture and is celebrated with great joy, religious fervor, and cultural pride.
Traditions and rituals observed during the Dashain festival in Nepal:
Ghatasthapana: The festival begins with Ghatasthapana, which marks the installation of a sacred pot known as "Kalash" or "Jamara" in homes and temples. The pot is filled with holy water, and barley seeds are sown in it. The pot symbolizes the goddess Durga, and the germination of the barley during the festival is considered auspicious. The Kalash is worshipped daily during Dashain.
Navaratri: Dashain is celebrated for a period of nine days known as Navaratri, during which the various forms of the goddess Durga are worshipped. Devotees visit temples dedicated to goddess Durga and offer prayers, flowers, and incense. They observe fasting and engage in religious rituals.
Animal Sacrifices: Animal sacrifices are performed on specific days during Dashain, especially at the temples of goddess Durga. The sacrifice is seen as an offering to the goddess and is believed to bring good fortune and protection. While the practice is controversial and not universally followed, it remains a significant aspect of the festival for some communities.
Maha Ashtami: The eighth day of Dashain, known as Maha Ashtami, is considered highly auspicious. Devotees offer special prayers and conduct rituals to honor the goddess Durga. On this day, animal sacrifices are made at the temples, and the sacrificed meat is considered holy and distributed among the worshippers and the community.
Kumari Puja: Another important aspect of Dashain is the worship of the living goddess Kumari, a young girl believed to be an incarnation of the goddess Durga. She is selected from the Newar community in Kathmandu Valley and worshipped during Dashain. Devotees seek her blessings and offer prayers.
Tika and Jamara: The tenth day of Dashain, known as Vijaya Dashami, is the most significant day of the festival. On this day, elders in the family apply Tika—a mixture of red vermillion powder, rice, and yogurt—on the foreheads of younger family members as a symbol of blessings and protection. The Tika is accompanied by the offering of Jamara—a sprout of barley—placed behind the ears. The Tika and Jamara are considered auspicious and are believed to bring good fortune and success.
Feast and Family Gatherings: Dashain is a time for families to come together and celebrate. People wear new clothes and gather for festive meals. Special dishes and delicacies are prepared, including meat items like mutton and chicken. Families visit each other, exchange gifts, and enjoy the festivities.
Cultural Performances: Dashain is also marked by various cultural performances, including traditional music, dance, and drama. People participate in folk dances like Deusi and Bhailo, where groups of performers go from house to house, singing and dancing, and receiving offerings in return.
Games and Entertainment: Kite flying is a popular activity during Dashain, with people of all ages taking part. Parks and open spaces become filled with colorful kites soaring in the sky. Additionally, card games and gambling are common during the festival, providing entertainment and friendly competition.
Departure of the Goddess: On the final day of Dashain, the idols of goddess Durga that were worshipped during the festival are taken in processions to nearby rivers or water bodies. They are immersed in the water, symbolizing the departure of the goddess back to her celestial abode.
These are some of the major traditions and rituals observed during the 15-day-long Dashain festival in Nepal. The festival is not only a religious and cultural event but also a time of joy, reunion, and merriment for the Nepali people. It holds deep significance as it celebrates the victory of good over evil and marks the transition from the monsoon season to the harvest season.
During Dashain, schools, government offices, and businesses remain closed for several days, allowing people to fully engage in the festivities. Many Nepalis who live and work in urban areas make it a point to return to their ancestral homes in rural areas to celebrate Dashain with their families.
The festival also has a significant economic impact as people engage in extensive shopping for new clothes, gifts, and household items. Markets and shopping areas are adorned with colorful decorations, and special fairs called "Dashain Melas" are organized in various places, featuring rides, games, and stalls selling food, clothes, and other items.
Dashain is not limited to Nepal alone but is also celebrated by the Nepali diaspora around the world. Nepali communities in different countries organize cultural programs, prayers, and feasts to mark the festival, maintaining their cultural ties and promoting a sense of unity.
In recent years, efforts have been made to make Dashain more inclusive by minimizing or eliminating animal sacrifices and promoting alternative ways of celebrating the festival. This includes emphasizing the values of compassion, kindness, and respect for all living beings.
Dashain is a time when people take a break from their daily routines, come together with their loved ones, and celebrate their cultural heritage with great enthusiasm. It showcases the rich traditions, rituals, and values that have been passed down through generations, making it one of the most cherished and widely celebrated festivals in Nepal.
