Dashain is one of the biggest festival of Nepal celebrated by Hindu and Buddhist people on the occasion of victory of the gods over evils. Dashain is celebrated for 15 days so it is known as the longest and the most auspicious festival in Nepal. It falls on September/October, starts from bright lunar fortnight and ends on the day of the full moon (Poornima).
The first day of dashain is called Ghatasthapana. On this day people fill a vessel with clay, sand and sow maize and barley seeds in the prayer room. People pray to the goddess Durga for nine days every morning. During these days people buy new clothes, fly kites, play swing to have fun and joy.
The seventh day is called Phulpati and the eighth day is regarded as Maha Ashthami. On this day animals like buffalos, ducks, hens, goats are sacrificed to goddess Kali and their meat is taken as holy food as well as other special delicious foods are prepared for dinner. In the ninth day (Maha Nawami) people worship god Vishwa Karma (The god of creativity) also their vehicles, machinery instruments and tools for its protection during the year.
The tenth day is named as Vijaya Dashami, which is the main and the most important day of Dashain. On this special day, people wear new clothes, take Tika (made by mixing rice, vermilion, yogurt, bananas) and Jamara (planted on the first day) on forehead from their elders and receive lots of blessings. They give money which is called Dakshina as well. Relatives and the family members living far away from home come to receive Tika from the head of the family. These acts continue for four days and ends at the fifteenth day.
In general, the major attractions of Dashain are children with joy, flying kites, wearing new clothes, playing swing and cards, delicious foods and drinks, reunion of family etc. In Bhimphedi Balmandir, we celebrated Dashain with great fun and joy. The Mayor of Bhimphedi Rural municipality, Hidam Lama came to celebrate Dashian with the children of Bhimphedi children’s home. He put Tika and distributed food to the children. Everybody looked very happy.
