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During the month of Kartik (late September and early October), the Nepalese people indulge in the biggest festival of the year, Dashain. Dashain is the longest and the most auspicious festival in the Nepalese annual calendar, celebrated by Nepalese of all caste and creed throughout the country.
Dashain is not only the longest festival but also the most anticipated one among all the festivals of Nepal. According to the Online Immigration Database maintained by the immigration office of the Tribhuvan International Airport, 34,690 Nepalis have returned home from various countries between September 17 and September 23.
Dashain means receiving and giving blessings and offerings of tika (vermillion) and dakshina (gift of money) to the family and relatives.
It is a fifteen-day long festival and the prominent days in celebration of Dashain are the first, seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth days.
An ordinary family in Nepal
The first day of Dashain is called Ghatasthapana, which literally means pot establishing. On that day people will plant maize and barely seeds in sand and mud in a darkroom where people perform religious worship.
Day seven of Dashain marks Fulpati which is celebrated by an official ceremony in Tundikhel. A Fulpati parade is taken from Tundikhel to the residence of president of Nepal.
The eighth day of Dashain is the Maha Asthami which is dedicated to Goddess Kali, one of the forms of Goddess Durga. To pacify the fiery Goddess Kali, people throughout the country sacrifice goats, hens and buffaloes in temples.
The ninth day of Dashain is Mahanavami in which Lord Vishwakarma is worshiped. Vishwakarma is the God of creation who is sacred among mechanics and craftsmen. People worship vehicles, tools and equipment during the ninth day of Dashain. One of the main features of Mahanavami is the Taleju Temple whose gates are opened for the public only during Mahanavami.
The tenth day of Dashain is Vijaya Dashami which is one of the most important days for Nepalese. During Dashami, elders put tika and jamara on younger family members and relatives. These are sacred rituals as tika and jamara symbolize blessings passed from one generation to another, from elders to youngsters.
President Bidhya Devi Bhandari
This year the main day of Dashain falls on September 30. On that day, President Bidhya Devi Bhandari will apply red vermillion powder mixed with curd and rice on the foreheads of government staff as well as general public at Rastrapati Bhawan to mark the occasion, as per tradition.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
