The Dashain festival in Nepal is the biggest and the longest Hindu festival celebrated throughout the country. Although it is a Hindu festival, almost all Nepalese celebrate it. The festival usually falls during September or October, according to the Gregorian calendar, as Nepal follows the Bikram Sambat or lunar calendar. The celebration lasts for 15 days.
Dashain, also known as Vijaya Dashami or Bijaya Dashami, is a festival where devotees worship Goddess Durga. The festival celebrates the goddess’s victory over the demon Mahishasura. The festival also symbolizes the victory of good over evil. Families and relatives come together to receive blessings from their elders and put tika and jamara. Hence, Nepali families living far away or abroad eagerly wait for Dashain to reunite with their families and bond together.
The festival has religious and cultural significance. During the Dashain season, the government issues national holidays. Hindus from India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka celebrated this auspicious festival. The importance of the Dashain festival in Nepal goes beyond just religion. Let’s learn more about Dashain in depth!
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Religious History of Dashain
Goddess Durga and Mahishasura
The Dashain festival’s origin dates back around 6.5 centuries. However, it has connections with 1500-year-old ancient Vedic texts from the Markandeya Purana, the Devi Mahatmya. It tells a story about the Hindu Goddess Durga combating and defeating the demon Mahisasura. According to Markandeya Purana, the story was first told 1.3 billion years ago. So, the exact date of the Dashain festival is not clear.
Mahisasura was a powerful demon who received a boon from the god of creation, Brahma. Mahisa means buffalo, and asura refers to a demon as he could change into a human and buffalo form. He terrorized heaven and gods as a woman could only defeat him. Hence, the three gods, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, created Durga. She is a warrior goddess associated with motherhood, strength, protection, and destruction. She has many hands, each holding a weapon like a sword, bow, arrow, trident, shield, etc. Likewise, she is depicted riding a tiger.
The goddess entered the battle with Mahishasura. It went on for nine days, then, on the tenth day, Durga killed the demon. She beheaded him with her sacred chakra. Hence, the tenth day of Dashain marks the victory of the goddess and of light over darkness or good over evil. After her victory, Goddess Durga was named “Mahishasuramardini,” which means killer of the demon Mahishasura.
During the 15 days of the festival, devotees worship the nine forms of Durga for the first nine days of Dashain. Each of her forms represents divine feminine power or Shakti. Among her various forms, Kali is the most powerful and worshipped on the eighth day of Dashain. The first nine forms of the goddess are known as Navadurga. The name Durga also appears in the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Ramayana
Another Hindu mythology that is related to Dashain is the epic Ramayana. According to the epic, Ravana, the king of Lanka, kidnapped the wife of King Rama (an avatar of Lord Vishnu) in Treta Yug. A fierce battle began between Rama and Ravana. Hindu devotees believe that Rama worshipped Goddess Durga to seek her blessings to defeat Ravana on the day of Bijaya Dashami.
The story also symbolizes the victory of good over evil. In many parts of India, there is a ritual of burning King Ravana, his son Meghnath, and his brother Kumbhakaran’s effigies on Bijaya Dashami. Indian call this day as “Dussehra.”
Important Day Of Dashain Festival In Nepal
The festival of Dashain is celebrated for 15 days, and each day is important. However, the most significant days of the festival are:
First Day: Ghatasthapana
The first day of Dashain is Ghatasthapana when almost every household in Nepal places a pot or Kalash to sow Jamara (barley, maize, paddy, etc. seeds). The pot symbolizes the Goddess Durga, and the household keeps it inside the home. A family member does puja and worships the Kalash twice daily for nine days. Devotees believe that the goddess resides in the Kalash. On the tenth day, the jamar is used with tika.
Seventh Day: Phulpati
The next important day of the Dashain festival is the seventh day, or Phulpati. The term Phulpati consists of two words, phul and pati. The term phul refers to flower, and pati refers to leaf. The people in Nepal, during Dashain’s seventh day, worship the goddess Durga with nine different flowers and seek blessings and prosperity. Nepal Army performs a parade in front of the president and government officials. Similarly, the army personnel also fire weapons to mark the occasion. Then, the Phulpati from Hanuman Dhoka is transferred to Kathmandu Durbar Square.
Eighth Day: Maha Asthami
The eighth day of Dashain is the Maha Asthami. On this day, devotees worship Goddess Kali, the most powerful form of Goddess Durga. She is the fiercest and bloodthirsty form of the goddess. So, devotees sacrifice animals like goats, buffaloes, hens, and ducks in the goddess temples throughout the country. The sacrificial rites also occur in Kathmandu Durbar Square and the presidential area. Families also gather together for feat and puja.
Ninth Day: Maha Navami
The ninth day, Maha Navami, is the last day of Navaratri. On this day, all the ceremonies and rituals are at their peak, so devotees call it “the great ninth day.” The Nepal Amry personnel perform sacrificial rites in the Kot courtyard of Hanuman Dhoka royal palace and fire a 21-gun salute. The Taleju Temple in the Hanuma Dhoka is open to the public only on this day. The artisans, mechanics, and traders worship their tools and vehicles and even sacrifice animals.
Tenth Day: Bijaya Dashami
Bijaya Dashami, the tenth day of the Dashain, is also the biggest and most important day of the festival. On this day, families gather together, and the elders put tika (a mixture of rice, yogurt, and vermilion) and jamara, which is sown on Ghatasthapana, on the younger’s forehead. The elders also give them Dakshina (money) and bless them. They also feast together and exchange gifts with each other. Relatives from far and wide gather together on this auspicious day to receive blessings from their elders. The ritual goes on for five more days.
Final or Fifteenth Day: Kojagrat Purnima
The fifteenth day of Dashain is the Kojagrat Purnima, which means who is awake. The day coincides with full moon day and is also the final day of the festival. Devotees believe Goddess Laxmi, the goddess of wealth, descends on earth on this day and blesses anyone awake at night with prosperity and wealth. Hence, most people stay awake at night. It is also the last day of receiving tika from their elder’s hands.
Celebration Of Dashain Festival In Nepal
Dashain is a time for families to reunite, whether they live apart or abroad. Nepalese living abroad return home to celebrate the festivals and events in Nepal, which is also a time for family bonding. They come together to worship Goddess Durga with offerings and animal sacrifices. The most important part of the Dashain celebration is receiving tika from elders. Despite the diverse ethnicity, almost all people celebrate Dashain in Nepal, making it one of the most widely celebrated Hindu festivals in Nepal.
Flying kites is a tradition during Dashain, which signals the rain god that there is no need for more rain. So, you can see colorful kites in the skies at this time of the year. There are also kite-flying competitions where people of all ages participate. Similarly, it is tradition to play traditional bamboo swings during Dashain. Many locals erect swings together in public places. Likewise, people wear new clothes, exchange gifts, play cards, and feast together.
Many Nepalese also visit temples and shrines during Dashain. Locals also hold many cultural and traditional programs in their communities. Nepalese celebrate the festival with great enthusiasm, joy, and devotion throughout Nepal.
Conclusion
There is religious and cultural significance to the Dashain festival in Nepal. During this festive season, the entire nation is in a celebration mood. It is the best time to experience Nepal’s harmonious diversity and rich culture. Every household is bustling with joy and happiness. Similarly, devotees flock to most temples and shrines. The streets of big cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara are illuminated with colorful decorations and lights.
Although it is a holiday season, it is the best time to visit Nepal. You will have an opportunity to witness the grand festival rituals and ceremonies. Additionally, you can participate in the celebrations of Dashain in Nepal with the locals. Moreover, the festival falls during the harvest or autumn, which is the most favorable time for trekking and touring in the Himalayas of Nepal.
