Dashain Festival in Nepal: Celebrating Victory of Good Over Evil

The greatest and most widely celebrated Hindu festival in Nepal is Dashain, also known as Vijaya Dashami, Dussera in some parts of India. It is mostly celebrated in the fall season (September or October) depending on the lunar Bikram Sambat calendar which lasts for 15 days. Dashain is much more than a festival for Nepalese people.

Dashain brings all the people together to celebrate the festival whether they are in Nepal or abroad which provides a sense of unity. Unity of people is one of the common reasons which makes the importance of Dashain has gone up when disunity and cracked relations have become much more common. In addition, the Hindu people of India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh also celebrate the Dashain festival.

Importance of Dashain in Nepalese Culture

Dashain simply celebrates the victory of good over evil. It brings people together as they enjoy the meticulousness of life.

To perform the rituals people often visit the temples and they acknowledge a superior benevolent god looks over the mortals to nurture a liveable community. Also, people can think about the spiritual side of life during the Dashain.

On the last day of Dashain, the elders put a tika on the forehead of the younger counterparts and conclude it. Likewise, young people respect their elders. It shows and teaches the newer generation to continue the Dashain festival.

In Dashain, all the social, economic, and caste boundaries will be mitigated as all the people unite to celebrate it together. People from all walks of life come together to celebrate the Dashain festival as it promotes unity and social harmony within society.

The visitors can witness and participate in this festival as it offers an opportunity for cultural exchange, acknowledging a deeper understanding of the culture of Nepal.

Religious History of Dashain Festival

Various mythology are related to the Dashain festival so people are still determining the exact reason for celebrating the Dashain festival. The most prominent two reasons are explained below.

1. Goddess Durga

Rigveda, the oldest scripture of Hinduism concerning Dashain relates to the goddess Durga, a mythical character. Etymologically, Dur means “remote/difficult”, ga means “pass-through” and together, Durga means “the invincible”.

Besides Vedas, Durga is also mentioned in other two popular Hindu scriptures – Ramayan and Mahabharat. However, the context is different in different scriptures. More interestingly, other deities, particularly Laxmi, are also involved though Dashain is mostly about Durga. The manuscripts of the 14th century have guidelines on how to perform Durga puja and the goddess Durga is invoked with 108 names.

The goddess Durga is always armed with the weapons of male gods, she is a warrior goddess(Shakti Mata) and rides a tiger. According to the scripture, she has numerous hands and holds weapons like a trident, chakra, sword, bow and arrow, conch, javelin, shield, and noose. These Durga illustrations were quite common in the 4th century. The interesting fact is Durga or Durga-like goddesses are also mentioned in Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism.

After the victory over the demon Mahishasura, the son of Mahisi(Buffalo) and a descendant of sage Kashyap, by goddess Durga then the Dashain festival began to celebrate to mark the goddess Durga’s victory. The battle between Durga and Maishashura lasted for ten days; after Mahishasura was killed, Durga is also called Mahishasuramardini, meaning “The killer of Mahishasura”.

2. King Rama

Ramayan is another significant story associated with Dashain. In Treta Yug, Rama(also regarded as the avatar of lord Vishnu) killed Ravana, as stated in Ramayan. On the day of Dashami, Rama is supposed to have invoked the blessings of Durga and defeated the Ravana. To continue the tradition even today, Hindus erect and burn the statue of Ravana along with other demons to mark this auspicious day.

Nine Days during Dashain Festival in Nepal

It took fifteen days to complete the Dashain festival and the most important day is the tenth day when we put tika from elders and elders bless us for our well-being. Here are the most significant days.

Ghatasthapana: the first day

The starting day of Dashain is called Ghatasthapana. It means placing a Kalasha (a traditional pot) which represents the goddess Durga. Today, all the people of Nepal who follow Hinduism plant a Jamara (seedlings) inside a room. The Jamara is worshipped from day 1 to day 9 and on the tenth day it is used for worship.

Phulpati: the seventh day

Phulpati means flowers and plants. It is made of two words -Phul means flower, and Pati means plants. Today, followers or the devote worship goddess Durga by offering various types of flowers and plants. When Durga is worshipped it is believed that the goddess Durga will take care of the health and prosperity of devotees. Nationally, the Fulpati from Nuwakot are transferred to the Dashainghar in Hanuman Dhoka, Kathmandu. VIP delegates will be offered by a special parade from the Nepalese Army.

Maha Asthami: eighth day

 On the eighth day of Dashain, the devotees offer an animal sacrifice to appease the bloodthirsty Kali. Animals used to sacrifice are goats, buffaloes, hens, and ducks. Popular places like Kathmandu Durbar Square and Nepal’s presidential palace premises were also used to sacrifice the animals. In the evening, a huge feast will be organized. On this day the ethnic Newars observe “Khadka Puja” by worshiping their weapons.

Maha Navami: ninth day

Today is the last day of Navaratri known as Navami, celebrated with extensive animal sacrifice. The armed forces of Nepal perform 21 -gun salutes and animal sacrifice. Today artisans, traders, and mechanics worship their tools, equipment, and vehicles offering animal sacrifices like other people do on the eighth day. For a whole year, today, the Taleju Temple in Hanuman Dhoka is open for public worship.

Vijaya Dashami: the tenth day

Today, remarked as the biggest day of the Dashain festival as we put tika on the foreheads of youngers tika is commonly a mixture of vermilion, curd, and rice. The Jamara shown in Fulpati is also used on the heads of the tika receivers. After receiving tika and jamara, the elder gives some amount of money as Dakshina and blesses the younger. The tika ceremony continues for five more days (until the full moon day).

Kojagrat Purnima: the fifteenth (last) day

Today is the last day of the Dashain festival, commonly known as “Kojagrat Purnima”. Kojagrat means “who is awake”. On this day, devotees worship the goddess Laxmi (goddess of wealth and prosperity). The devotees believe, that tonight goddess Laxmi descends to earth to shower wealth on those who awake during the night.

How do People Celebrate the Dashain Festival in Nepal?

Different communities have different ways to celebrate Dashain which involve various customs and traditions. The ten ways people celebrate Dashain in Nepal are listed below.

1. Family Reunions

During the festivals of Dashain, all family members try to connect with their family whether they are inside the country or outside. People often travel a long distance to celebrate with their loved ones. It’s a time to reunite with family which strengthens the family bonding and togetherness. This festival is particularly important for those Nepalese who are outside the country for employment.

2. Flying Kites

The most popular game during the Dashain festival is Kite flying. The youths mostly organize a competition among kite flyers and people of all ages fly colourful kites. It is the myth that the flying kites send a message to the rain god to stop sending more rain.

3. Swings (Ping)

During festivals, swing sets are established in many public places, and people of all ages love to swing on them, especially children. It’s a symbol of fun and festivity. The erected swings are for temporary use and are made up of bamboo and ropes, a traditional one but in cities, there are modern swings.

4. New Clothes and Gifts

During festival seasons, most of the people wear new clothes and exchange gifts among friends and family. This symbolizes the renewal of relationships. The new clothes are mostly enjoyed by the children and we believe that the culture of wearing new clothes began when the clothes were not very affordable.

5. Tika and Jamara

The younger receives tika (a mixture of yogurt, rice, and vermillion) and places Jamara (barley grass) on their foreheads and blessings from elders which symbolizes protection and good fortune.

6. Animal Sacrifice

It is common to sacrifice animals i.e. goats, buffaloes, or chickens to please the goddess Durga and then the meat is shared between friends and family. The people who are vegetarians used fruits and coconut as a symbol of offering to Durga.

7. Card Games and Gambling

In Dashain, it is common to play card games but they play with the intention of friendly competitions. The game like Langur Burja, Kauda, and cards were used to play in Dashain.

8. Visiting Temples and Shrines

Spiritually, Nepal is a land of gods and goddesses, there are numerous temples and shrines in every corner of the country. Many devotees visit the temples to seek blessings and offer their prayers to the goddess Durga.

9. Music and Dance

During Dashain, you can hear special celebratory tunes all over Nepal. Every community plays festive music and performs traditional dances which is a great way to express the culture of Nepal. Music and dance is the great form of entertainment.

10. Feasting

Every family prepares delicious Nepali cuisine to dine with relatives, friends, and family members. Dishes like sel roti, mutton curry, and sweets are common in the household of Nepalese people. It is a time of indulgence in delicious Nepali cuisine.

Popular Holiday Destinations during Dashain Festival

The best and most popular places to visit during Dashain are listed below:

1. Everest Base Camp

Everest Base Camp Trek is another spot, you can visit during the Dashain. You can traverse the magnificent Himalayas with pleasant weather and experience the Sherpa culture. The trekkers who are buoyed by the festive ambiance can explore the majestic and tall mountains of the world.

Sherpa villages burst with vibrancy as brilliant decorations enhance every corner and vigorous celebrations fill the air. Every trekker is warmly greeted, introduced to local customs, and offered delicious traditional food.

If you do trek in the Dashain then it is not simply a trek; it is a transformative cultural expedition. Every moment you experience during the EBC trek is unforgettable while celebrating Dashain in the wonderful beauty of the great Himalayas.

Read full article here: Everest Base Camp Trek

2. Annapurna Base Camp

The Dashain festival falls in the autumn season, the best time to trek in Nepal when the weather and climate are so favorable.

You can explore the diverse landscapes and experience the vibrant culture of Nepalese people, during your trip in Nepal. The weather conditions vary when you soak in breathtaking views of the Annapurna range, Machhapuchhere, Dhaulagiri, and Hiunchuli.

 After you reach base camp, you can witness an awesome gift from Mother Nature herself: a beautiful sunrise over the stunning Annapurna range which will leave you in wonder.

Read full article here: Annapurna Base Camp Trek

3. Ghorepani Poon Hill

Ghorepani Poon Hill is a perfect destination for short trek who have short periods of vacation. During Dashain, it is a perfect place to explore with your friends and family as you can experience the Nepali culture deeply. The trails will be filled with lush rhododendron forests and traditional Gurung villages. The Dashain celebration adds fervor to you to explore and experience the beauty of Nepal.

Poon Hill is a vantage point, one can observe the brilliant panorama of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges. It would be a memorable time if you visit Poon Hill during the festive of Dashain as the trek combines the beauty of nature with the richness of tradition.

Read full article here: Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

Travel with Mountain Delights during the Dashain Festival

When you explore the magnificent landscapes of Nepal during the main festival of Nepalese people; it will create a lasting memory. It is the reason, Mountain Delights organizes trekking during the festive season as well. Furthermore, Dashain celebrates in autumn season, offering good weather, and stunning mountain views with clear skies.

It is a great opportunity to indulge yourself in the rich cultural tapestry of Nepal if you trek during Dashain. The professional guide at Mountain Delights helps you to celebrate the Dashain festival with local communities i.e. receiving tika, jamara, and blessings from local families.

Mountain Delights Treks ensures a well-organized and comfortable journey, whether you choose to trek in Everest or the Annapurna region of Nepal. Similarly, we ensure your festival trek experience is full of good memories and deep cultural immersion. You can celebrate Nepal’s biggest festival while enjoying unforgettable memories amidst Nepal’s varying landscapes and culture.

We here at Mountain Delights can organize your trek, if you want to experience the festival of Nepal while exploring the stunning Nepali landscape. You can book a trek with us and we will make sure your Dashain trek will be wonderful.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the importance of the Dashain festival in Nepal?

Dashain in Nepal is a big festival celebrating the victory of good over evil. It began to celebrate after the triumph of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura.

2. When is the Dashain festival observed?

The festival falls in the autumn season (September or October), depending on the lunar calendar (Bikram Sambat). The festival is the longest in Nepal and lasts for 15 days.