Dashain Festival in Nepal I Dates & Time

Publishded: 2022-12-25 | Total Views: 1495

Dashain, generally called Vijaya Dashami, is widely seen as the primary festival in Nepal. The celebration draws the participation of millions of people from all parts of the country. The lunar calendar dates this 15-day important festival, generally to occur in September or October. Marking the victory of Durga against Mahishasura, the buffalo demon, during Dashain showcases the triumph of virtue over evil. 

 

Families can reconnect while enjoying a variety of food and fulfilling social etiquette during the Dashain festivities in this season. A good mood is easily achieved when one’s in new clothing, and when presents are exchanged or various entertaining activities, like having backyard swings or flying kites, take place. Nepal's cultural history takes the spotlight at the festival, which is designed to bring together local individuals and strengthen unity. 

 

A unique feature of Dashain is that its customs and activities are tied together uniquely. The Ghatasthapana, which involves creating a sacred vessel, is what argues the start of the celebrations. The subsequent days involve worshiping different forms of Durga, culminating in the most important day: Vijaya Dashami.

 

Part of this festivity is the participation of elderly members of the family, who share their well-wishes with the young by applying a special blend of rice, yogurt, and vermilion to their foreheads. During Dashain, people go to temples as a way of honoring and celebrating the many blessings they've received in life. While attending the festival, people devote their time to meditation, finding a renewed spiritual connection, and happily discovering life's basic pleasures.

 

History of Dashain

Dashain finds its origins in the ancient Hindu scriptures known as the Puranas. The religious books describe how Mahishasura spread terror in heaven and earth, after which the gods formed Durga from their collective energy. Armed with the various weapons contributed by each god, Durga engaged in a fierce nine-day combat with Mahishasura. 

It was on the tenth day, known as Vijaya Dashami, that she emerged victorious and symbolized the triumph of good over evil. This story is intrinsic to the activities of this festival and is related universally, one way or another, to many other cultures regarding light conquering darkness. In due course, Dashain has become a magnificent celebration where mere religious observance has assumed a broader relevance: it perpetuates social bonding and cultural identity among Nepalis. 

Families prepare for this festival weeks in advance by cleaning their homes, buying new clothes, and planning elaborate meals. During this period, the schools and business entities tend to remain closed so that the family can come together and enjoy the festival. The festival is not only significant from a mythological point of view but also reminds people about respect, love, and unity in the family and society.

 

Days of Celebration of Dashain

It is celebrated for over fifteen days, and each day has its own importance:

 

Ghatasthapana (Day 1)

The Dashain festival starts in Nepal with Ghatasthapana, marking an important day for the start of festivities. On this day, people in families establish the sacred pot, Kalash, which signifies the arrival of Goddess Durga. This Kalash is filled with holy water and kept at the center of an altar specially prepared with sand and soil, depicting different realms of existence. Barley seeds, known as Jamara, are sown around this pot.

 

Fulpati (Day 7)

As the Dashain progresses, Fulpati falls on the seventh day. On this day, the sacred plants and flowers are brought home to worship. There is often a grand parade of government officials and military personnel participating in order to showcase the cultural importance of the festival. Normally, on the day of Fulpati, people bring Jamara-barley shoots, banana stalks, and other sacred things from their local temples or gardens.

 

Maha Ashtami (Day 8)

Maha Ashtami, the eighth day of Dashain, is a day when Goddess Durga, in her fierce form of Kali, is worshipped. The day has elaborate rituals that need to be carried out with the belief that it will ensure prosperity and protection. Animal sacrifice is also carried out by many devotees on this day to please the goddess, a ritual concept that dates way back in history and which some sections still follow.

 

Maha Navami (Day 9)

The ninth day is called Maha Navami, when the preparations for the final celebrations reach their peak. It includes elaborate rituals in the temples devoted to Goddess Durga, with devotees offering prayers and sacrifices. It is also a time when families pay regard to their tools and vehicles by way of puja, recognizing the value of their presence in daily life and work. 

 

Vijaya Dashami (Day 10)

The Vijaya Dashami is the height of all Dashain celebrations. It is that sacred day when people meet with their family members and receive Tika from the elders; Tika is a mixture of rice, yogurt, and vermilion, which the elders put on the foreheads of the juniors. This is one ritual whereby continuity in prosperity, good longevity, and success is passed down from the forefathers. That's a time when family members who come from distant areas meet together to get blessings from their elders. 

 

Kojagrat Purnima (Day 15) 

The final day of Dashain is called Kojagrat Purnima, where rituals are performed to worship Goddess Laxmi, representing wealth and prosperity. In fact, the full moon night is spent awake in the worship of Laxmi, pleading for her blessings to shower abundance upon their lives. 

 

How do People Celebrate Dashain in Nepal?

During Dashain, there are various events filled with cherished traditions in common to keep families together. Reunions of family members from different regions mark an important feature of the festival. Kite flying gives a playful spirit and marks the end of the monsoon rains, while traditional swings set up in public spaces provide entertainment for children.

But one of the main attractions to Dashain is the Tika ceremony on Vijaya Dashami, where the younger ones in the family receive Tika, a mixture of rice, yogurt, and vermilion, applied to their foreheads by elders. The act signifies blessings for prosperity and happiness and is often accompanied by money as a token of goodwill. Many families also engage in animal sacrifices to honor Goddess Durga while preparing and sharing festive meals among loved ones with meat curries, rice, lentils, and sweets.

 

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