Dashain: One of The Most Important Holidays in Nepal

Introduction

The festival of Dashain is the most celebrated Hindu festival and symbolizes the victory of good over evil. It falls in the month of September or October and is celebrated for fifteen days. The celebration begins on the bright lunar moon and concludes on the full moon day.

Overview of Dashain

'Dashain: One of The Most Important Holidays in Nepal'

The Rituals and Celebrations

The first day, known as Ghatasthapana, marks the planting of barley seeds amidst special puja, symbolizing Goddess Durga. These seeds grow into five or six inches long grass called ‘jamara’, used during religious worship and offered during ‘tika’ (the application of red vermilion paste on the forehead). On the seventh day, Phulpati involves bringing the royal kalash along with jamara from Gorkha to Hanuman Dhoka Durbar, marked by celebratory firing of canons. The eighth day sees Goddess Durga manifesting as a bloodthirsty deity, worshipped with sacrifices of buffaloes, goats, hens, and ducks in various temples across the country. It is important to mention that we do not support such acts of violence.

The ninth day is Maha Navami, which is significant as it marks the last day of Navaratri. On this day, animals are sacrificed to bless vehicles, tools, equipment, and machinery for better days and to avoid accidents. The tenth day is 'Vijaya Dashami', considered the most important day of the festival when younger family members visit elders for ‘tika’. Elders bless them with ‘tika’ on the forehead and ‘jamara’, wishing them good health and prosperity along with ‘dakshina’ – a small amount of cash as a blessing.

Culmination and Cultural Practices

The last day is 'Kojagrat Purnima', which falls on the full moon day when people worship ‘Goddess Laxmi’ – goddess of wealth. The night is spent feasting and gambling among family and friends. Dashain is also an occasion for buying new clothes and visiting family members for tika, resulting in crowded garment shops as families buy new clothes for each member.

This festival is further characterized by older male family members indulging in card games while younger children enjoy flying kites from rooftops amidst loud music and merrymaking. Such activities emphasize familial bonds and community spirit.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Dashain represents more than just a holiday; it embodies a time for family reunions and cultural celebrations. It is the longest holiday granted by the government in Nepal, leading to closures of all offices and businesses for an extended period each year. It stands as one of Nepal's most important holidays.