Vijaya Dasahami- The Greatest Hindu Festival in Nepal

Why is Dashain Celebrated?

According to the Hindu Mythology, the Dashain festival is celebrated as the victory of good over evil. Dashain festival is deeply related with the victory story of Goddess Durga, who defeated a powerful demon named Mahisashura. Mahisashura was a very strong demon who caused trouble and spread fear everywhere. All deities were unable to defeat him, however, goddess durga took nine nights and ten days and finally defeated him. The victory brought peace and happiness back to the world, so this victory is now celebrated during the Dashain Festival.

Another important story related to Dashain is the victory of Lord Ram over the demon king Ravana. Ravana had kidnapped Lord Ram’s wife, Sita, and taken her to his kingdom in Lanka. After a long battle, Lord Rama defeated Ravana and rescued Sita. This story is from the epic Ramayana, and it also symbolizes the victory of good over evil.

Celebration of Dashain Festival

Dashain Festival is celebrated for 15 days, each day having its own importance and rituals. Dashain starts from the Shukla Paksha (Bright Lunar Fortnight) till Shukla Purnima (Full Moon Day).

Ghatasthapana (Day 1)

The first day of Dashain is called Ghatasthapana, which means “setting up a pot” . On this day, a special pot is placed in the prayer room of the house. The pot is filled with sand and barley seeds and scattered in it. The pot is then kept in the dark room where it is watered everyday.  The seeds are supposed to sprout and grow into green yellow shoots, called Jamara. Jamara is considered sacred and is used on the tenth day of Dashain.

Phulpati (Day 7)

Phulpati is celebrated as the seventh day of Dashain Festival in Nepal. “Phulpati” means “Sacred Flowers and Leaves”. On this day, a special collection of flowers, leaves and sugarcane tied with red cloth is brought from Gorkha to Kathmandu as a ritual. In Kathmandu, Phulpati is taken to Hanuman Dhoka where it is received with great honor. 

Phulpati is celebrated on the seventh day of Dashain. “Phulpati” means “sacred flowers and leaves.” On this day, a special collection of flowers, leaves, and sugarcane is brought from Gorkha to Kathmandu in a traditional procession. In the capital city, the Phulpati is taken to Hanuman Dhoka, where it is received with great honor. This marks the beginning of the main Dashain festivities.

Maha Ashtami (Day 8)

Maha Ashtami is the eighth day of Dashain and one of the most important days of the festival. On this day, people worship Goddess Durga in her fierce form, known as Kali. Temples dedicated to Kali are filled with devotees who offer prayers and perform rituals. In many places, animal sacrifices are made to please the goddess. These sacrifices are usually goats, buffaloes, or chickens, and the meat is later distributed among the family members as Prasad (blessed food).

Maha Navami (Day 9)

Maha Navami is the ninth day of Dashain and is also a very important day. On this day, people worship tools, vehicles, and machinery. This is known as Vishwakarma Puja. Vishwakarma is the god of architecture and craftsmanship, and people believe that worshiping their tools will bring good luck and ensure their safety in the coming year. In the Nepalese army and police, weapons and vehicles are cleaned and worshiped, and animal sacrifices are performed.

Vijaya Dashami (Day 10)

Vijaya Dashami is the most important day of the Dashain festival. It is the day when people celebrate the victory of good over evil. On this day, family members gather together for the Tika and Jamara ceremony. The elders in the family put Tika, a mixture of rice, yogurt, and red vermillion, on the foreheads of the younger members, along with Jamara. The red Tika represents the blessings of the goddess Durga, and the Jamara is a symbol of good fortune and prosperity. The elders also give blessings and sometimes money or gifts to the younger ones. This day is filled with love, respect, and happiness as families come together to celebrate.

Ekadashi to Chaturdashi (Day 11-14)

The days following Vijaya Dashami are known as Ekadashi, Dwadashi, Trayodashi, and Chaturdashi. During these days, people continue to visit their relatives and friends, exchanging Tika, Jamara, and blessings. It is a time for socializing, strengthening family bonds, and enjoying the festive spirit. People also enjoy various games, especially playing cards, which is a popular activity during Dashain.

Kojagrat Purnima (Day 15)

The last day of Dashain is Kojagrat Purnima, which means “full moon night of awakening.” On this day, people worship Goddess Laxmi, the goddess of wealth. It is believed that the goddess visits homes that are clean and well-lit, bringing prosperity and good fortune. People stay awake all night, praying and singing devotional songs to welcome Goddess Laxmi into their homes. This day marks the official end of the Dashain festival.

Special delicacies during Dashain Festival in Nepal

Dashain being the greatest festival in Nepal,  it is also considered the best time for feasting and enjoying delicious foods. People prepare a variety of traditional Nepali dishes during this festival. Mutation is one of the most popular foods during Dashain. Ghosts are sacrificed in many homes, and are prepared in many different ways.

Another popular dish during the festival is Selroti, a deep fried bread made from rice flour. It is usually eaten with yogurt, curry and pickles. Dishes like Kheer (rice pudding), Malpuwa (sweet deep fried pancakes), Yomari (Sweet Dumplings) are also famous during Dashain.

This is also the best time of the year to prepare different types of pickles to go with the main dishes. Gundruk Ko Achar (Fermented leaf pickle), Lapsi ko Achar(Hog Plum Pickle), Khalpi (Ripe Yellow Cucumber Pickle) are particularly popular during this time.

Celebration of Dashain beyond Nepal

Dashain is celebrated all over Nepal by Nepali communities living abroad. Dashain is celebrated as Dashhera (Navaratri) in India. Every hindu celebrated Dashain despite being far from home. For many Nepalis living abroad, Dashain is the time to reconnect with each other and their roots to keep their culture and traditions alive. It is also a great opportunity to introduce the younger generation born outside Nepal, the rich culture of Nepal.

Best Time of the year for Trekking and Outdoor Activities 

Dashain collides with the Autumn Season in Nepal, which means the clearer skies and best views. Dashain is the best time for trekking and outdoor activities in Nepal. Autumn Season in Nepal is the best time of the year for trekking to popular destinations in the Himalayas. 

Planning a trek during the Dashain Festival in Nepal can be the best decision. It coincides with the greatest festival in Nepal, observing the rich culture  and offers the best possible weather. Even Nepalese take the advantage of the public holidays during Dashain to go on short treks with their family and friends. This adds a layer of excitement and adventure to the festive season. 

Major Highlights of Dashain Festival in Nepal

Playing Swing (Linge Ping)

One of the most loved traditions during Dashain is playing Swings, known as “Linge Ping” in Nepali. These traditional swings are generally made of bamboo and rope set up in a field or backyards. Everyone enjoys the swing that symbolizes a state of enjoyment and break from daily life. It also reflects the nostalgic part of the Dashain Celebrations to the old..

Buying New Clothes

Buying new clothes, shoes and jewelry is also regarded as a tradition during Dashain. Families go shopping together to buy new outfits for the Bijaya Dashami, as wearing new clothes symbolizes the new and fresh start and good luck for the coming year.

For the children, getting new clothes is one of the exciting parts of the festivals and adds to the overall joy of the celebration. It is very common to see people dressed in their finest attires during Dashain Tika day. 

Visiting Family Members 

During the dashain festival, people gather together even the ones who live far away return home for this day. Visiting relatives, putting tika, gathering blessings and dakshina are the key highlights of this festival. 

It is said that the youngsters should visit their elders and take blessings. During the festival, elders put tika and in return the elders give blessing, gifts, fruits and money (dakshina). This helps in strengthening family and reconnecting with relatives.

Playing Cards

Playing cards is another popular activity during the Dashain festival. All family members and friends gather together, put on tika and play card games. This type of activity not only symbolizes entertainment, but also the spirit of togetherness, where everyone sits together, chats, and enjoys the festival. 

Animal Sacrifices 

Although it is a more traditional and religious part of Dashain, Animal sacrifice is performed in many homes and temples, especially on the 8th (Maha Ashtami) and 9th (Maha Nawami) day of Dashain. Animals like goats, buffaloes, chickens and ducks are sacrificed as offerings to Goddess Durga. The meat from the sacrifice is then shared among the family members symbolizing blessings and good luck. However, in recent years many people have started offering fruits and vegetables as an alternative, moving away from the practice of animal sacrifice.

Rituals and Pujas

Dashain festival is deeply rooted with religious rituals and ceremonies. From the first day, Ghatasthapana, to the last day, Kojagrat Purnima, different rituals are performed. The Durga Temples are filled with devotees and special pujas performed each day seeking blessings for good health, wealth and happiness. 

Whereas, at home small rituals are carried out daily with special emphasis on the tenth day during Vijaya Dashami.

Flying Kites

Another fun activity during Dashain is flying kites. As the skies clear up during Autumn Season, flying kites becomes a favorite activity of people from all age groups. The blue sky is filled with colorful kites and friendly competitions. Flying kites during Dashain is not just for fun but also signifies sending a message to the gods, asking for blessings for a good harvest and a prosperous year.

Conclusion

As we share the essence of the greatest HIndu festival of Nepal, Dashain, Abound Holidays warmly invites you to be a part of this vibrant festival. It is a perfect time of the year to witness the rich cultural heritage and take part in the joyous occasion. From traditional rituals to family gatherings, Dashain offers an unforgettable experience for travelers.

To learn more or plan your journey during this festive season, feel free to reach out to us, This year Dashain beings on 3rd October, 2024 (Ghatasthapana), 12th October (Vijaya Dashami) and ends on 16th October (Kojagrat Purnima).