Dashain:- The victory of good over Evil !!

                                     Dashain:- The victory of good over Evil !!

Dashain (aka Bada Dashain or Vijaya Dashami) is the largest and longest Hindu festival, celebrated mainly in Nepal. And according to the Nepali calendar, the festival falls from 1 Kartik to 10 Kartik 2077 BS. Hindus' most prominent celebration, Dashain respects an incredible triumph of the divine beings over the shrewd evil spirits.  The Dashain festival lasts for fifteen days and begins on the day of Ghatasthapana and finishes on the day of Kojagrat Purnima.

Thorough out the kingdom of Nepal, the goddess Durga in all her manifestations is worshiped with innumerable pujas, abundant offerings, and thousands of animal sacrifices for the ritual holy bathing, thus drenching the goddess for days in blood. In the Nepalese household, this festival is celebrated with loved and dear ones. Extended families gather together and feast on the food prepared at the House by the senior ladies of the house. All in all, it is the perfect time for families who have not met each other for months to reconnect once again.

 

Day 1 (Ghatasthapana)
Ghatasthapana is the first day of Bada Dashain.  A male family member will plant jamara (usually barley seeds) in moist sand. By the tenth day of the festival, the seeds will have grown to yellow grass, which is used with tika to bless people with prosperity and happiness.

 

 

Day 7 (Fulpati)
The special essence of the festival gets from this day. On this auspicious day, a military parade is organized at Hanuman Dhoka. The Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Civil Service, Band Music, and Panchebaja also join the fulpati parade. People clean their houses and decorate their houses with flowers. and most of the festivities in our homes we will be taking places today! In our Dhading home, the kids will be flying kites, playing on the traditional swing, and finishing the day off with a barbeque and a trip to the cinema! The children from our  Basbitti Zingidiya (Rauthat) home will be starting the day with Puja (prayers), followed by kite flying and a very short trip to the Garuda market, where there will be a huge fair! 

 

Day 8 (Maha Ashtami)
The festive will be continued as Maha Ashtami. Thousands of goats, sheep, buffaloes, ducks, and hens are sacrificed in the Goddess Temple almost from every home. In Newar Community, Kuchi Bhoe is prepared in which ritually people should eat two pathi of beaten rice including various types of dishes in a banana leaf.

 

Day 9 (Maha NaWami)
The ninth day of the festival is known as Maha Nawami. On this day, the Taleju Temple gates of Basantapur are accessible to the general public. Thousands of devotees go and pay respect to the goddess all along the day. This day is also known as Viswakarma day. 

 

Day 10 (Tika/Vijaya Dashami)
The tenth day of the festival is known as Vijaya Dashami or “Tika”. On this auspicious day, tika and jamara (which is sewn on day 1) are taken from elders, and blessing is received including “Dakshin” (money). These festivities continue for four days until the rising of the full moon. During that period, family and relatives, who are living apart, meet each other, and take blessings from the elders. 

The first 10 days of Dashain celebrates the battles fought by the Gods/Goddesses. The following 5 days celebrate the victories and more fiesta-style parties are held during this period! We look forward to seeing how our kids in the home will be celebrating Dashain and we will be sure to show you all!