Dashain

Greatest Hindu Festival

Dashain is also known as Badadashain or Bijaya Dashami.  Dashain is celebrated by the Hindus in Nepal along with their diaspora throughout the globe. It is one of the most anticipated festivals in Nepal, Darjeeling, Sikkim, Bhutan, North East India, and Myanmar. Furthermore, it is the longest and the most auspicious Hindu festival in Nepal. According to the Hindu calendar, this festival falls in Ashwin, between September-October according to the Gregorian calendar. The celebration lasts for two weeks with prayers and offerings to Goddes Durga. The festival is celebrated for 15 days, but the main celebration and festivities are on the 1st day(Ghatasthapana), 7th day ( Fulpati), 8th Day ( Maha Ashtami), 9th Day ( Mahanavami), and 10th Day ( Vijaya Dashami).

Goddess Durga symbolizes valor and prowess. Throughout Nepal, Goddess Durga is worshipped in all her manifestation. People make prayers and offer sacrifices to ensure their progress and prosperity. Dashain is also a time for family reunions, people return from all parts of the world, as well as different parts of the country, to celebrate together. On the tenth day also known as Vijayadashami, people move around with their foreheads covered with rice tika, wearing new clothes. There is much feasting as people visit relative’s homes to receive tika and blessings from elders.