Essential Features of Nepal’s Biggest Dashain Festival

Introduction to the Dashain Festival

Dashain Festival, also known as ‘Vijaya Dashami,’ is Nepal’s most widely celebrated festival. It symbolizes the victory of good over evil and lasts 15 days, typically between September and October, depending on the lunar calendar. It is also called ‘Bada Dashai’ (Great Dashai) as it is the greatest festival in Nepal. On this Page, we will delve into all the essential features of the Dashai.

Across Nepal and for the Nepali diaspora abroad, this time includes family reunions, festive joy, and cultural ceremonies. Hindus mainly celebrate Dashain, but also non-Hindus who are interested in Nepali festivals and like this fascinating culture. The festival holds both religious and cultural significance, reflecting the rich traditions of Nepali society.

History of Dashain

The roots of Dashain trace back to ancient Hindu mythology. The festival celebrates the victory of the goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. According to the myth, Mahishasura had terrorized the universe, and the gods, unable to defeat him, sought help from the goddess Durga. After a fierce battle that lasted for nine days, Goddess Durga finally killed Mahishasura (Head Demon) on the tenth day, which is celebrated as Vijaya Dashami, or the day of victory.

Dashain also celebrates the victory of Lord Ram, another significant figure in Hindu mythology, over the demon king Ravana. This story is mentioned in the ancient Indian epic Ramayana, where Ram is victorious with the blessings of goddess Durga.

Ways of Celebrating Dashain

Dasha is a fun festival. Many activities during this 15-day celebration are exciting and attractive. That’s why the development of community and tradition celebrating Dashain has never stopped. Let’s look at these fun ways to celebrate the Dashain festival here:

Day 1: Ghatasthapana

The festival begins with Ghatasthapana, where a Kalash (sacred vessel) symbolizing Durga is placed, and seeds of barley or maize are planted in the sand. This is kept in the prayer room, and daily rituals are performed until the tenth day. The sprouting of the seeds, known as “Jamara,” symbolizes prosperity and good fortune.

Day 7: Fulpati

On Fulpati, the seventh day of Dashain, sacred flowers, fruits, and other offerings are brought from Gorkha (the historical seat of the Nepali monarchy) to the Hanuman Dhoka Palace in the capital city, Kathmandu. The event is marked with grand processions, and military parades are held at Tudikhel, or the heart of Kathmandu

Day 8: Maha Ashtami

The eighth day, known as Maha Ashtami, is devoted to worshiping the goddess Kali, one of Durga’s fierce incarnations. Many people sacrifice animals such as goats, buffaloes, and chickens, believing it to be an offering to the goddess. Meat from the sacrifice is then distributed and consumed as “Prasad” (blessed food). However, animal sacrifice in temples is a controversial tradition, so it has decreased in recent years and has been replaced by worshipping flowers and fruits.

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Day 9: Maha Navami

The ninth day, or Maha Navami, is marked by further worshiping process, particularly to the goddess Durga’s shrine or temples. On this day, people also worship tools, vehicles, and machinery (known as Vishwakarma Puja) as symbols of progress and prosperity.

Day 10: Vijaya Dashami

The most important day of the festival is Vijaya Dashami, the tenth day. On this day, elders apply Tika (a mixture of rice, yogurt, and vermilion) and Jamara on the foreheads of younger family members, offering blessings for prosperity and long life. This ritual lasts five days, and families visit relatives to exchange blessings and gifts.

Religious Aspect of Dashain

Dashain is deeply rooted in Hinduism’s religious beliefs. The worship of the goddess Durga, representing power and protection, is central to the festival. Each of the nine forms of Durga is worshiped during Navaratri, the first nine days of Dashain. The Tika and Jamara ceremony performed on Vijaya Dashami has religious connotations as it symbolizes receiving the goddess’s blessings through elders.

Dashain is also a time for reflection on the moral lessons of the Hindu epics, such as the victory of truth and righteousness embodied in Ram’s defeat of Ravana. In rural Nepal, the festival also involves the worship of local deities, emphasizing the blend of traditional Hindu beliefs with indigenous practices.

Cultural Aspect of Dashain

Culturally, Dashain is significant for fostering familial bonds and unity. It is the time when people, regardless of their location, return to their ancestral homes to celebrate with family. The festival promotes the values of togetherness, respect for elders, and community harmony.

During Dashain, various traditional games, including kite flying and playing on bamboo swings, become a highlight for people of all ages. New clothes are worn, traditional feasts are prepared, and dishes such as goat meat, rice pudding, Sell Roti, and sweets are essential to Dashain meals.

Dashain also brings economic and social activities to a peak in Nepal. It is a shopping season, as people buy new clothes, decorations, and livestock. Schools and offices are closed, giving a sense of festivity and celebration across the country.

Dashain Beyond Nepal

While Dashain is predominantly celebrated in Nepal, it is also observed in various countries with a significant Nepali and Hindu population. In India, particularly in the states of Sikkim and Darjeeling, where there is a large Nepali-speaking community, Dashain is celebrated with the same fervor. Similarly, Bhutan and certain parts of Myanmar observe Dashain due to the presence of Nepali expatriates.

Dashain is celebrated as a major festival in Malaysia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States, where there is a significant Nepali diaspora. Nepali communities in these countries organize cultural programs, Tika ceremonies, and community feasts to keep their traditions alive.

Other Features of Dashain

• Animal Sacrifice: While animal sacrifice is central to the religious aspect of Dashain, it has faced criticism from animal rights activists and some urban populations in modern times, leading to alternatives like symbolic sacrifices or vegetarian offerings.
• Travel: Dashain causes a massive migration of people across Nepal. The roads, buses, and flights are crowded as people travel to their hometowns. This leads to a significant rise in transportation and hospitality activities during the festival season.
• Economic Impact: Dashain is a time for spending. New clothes, gifts, and elaborate feasts lead to a spike in consumerism. Businesses, especially those in the retail and food industries, witness a significant surge in sales.
• Environmental Concerns: While joyous, the festival also raises environmental issues, mainly due to animal sacrifices, the use of firecrackers, and pollution generated by mass gatherings.

How is Dashai Tika prepared?

The preparation of Tika is a central part of the Dashain festival, symbolizing blessings, protection, and good fortune. The Tika is applied on Vijaya Dashami, the tenth day of Dashain, by elders to younger family members to offer their blessings. Here is how Tika is prepared:

Ingredients:

1. Uncooked Rice Grains: These represent abundance and prosperity.
2. Yogurt (Fresh Curd): It symbolizes purity and coolness.
3. Vermilion Powder (Abir or Sindoor): This bright red or orange powder represents power, the divine energy of the goddess Durga, and auspiciousness.

Steps for Preparing Tika:

1. Mixing the Ingredients: The rice grains are mixed with the yogurt and vermilion powder to form a red paste. The yogurt helps bind the rice grains together with the vermilion, creating a textured and colorful paste.
2. Making Jamara: Alongside Tika, Jamara (sprouted barley or maize shoots) is also part of the ceremony. The Jamara, planted on the first day of Dashain (Ghatasthapana), is harvested on Vijaya Dashami. The yellowish-green sprouted shoots are worn behind the ear or placed on the head during the Tika ceremony.
3. Offering Tika and Jamara: The eldest members of the family apply the Tika on the foreheads of younger members, placing the red paste in the center of the forehead (at the spot believed to be connected to wisdom and spiritual vision). They also offer Jamara along with blessings for good health, prosperity, and long life.

The combination of Tika and Jamara represents the divine blessings of goddess Durga and the bond between family members, making this ritual one of the most cherished moments of the Dashain festival.

What is Jamara’s significance?

Jamara holds deep symbolic significance during the Dashain festival. It is an essential part of the Tika ceremony, where it is placed behind the ears or on the heads of family members, representing blessings from the goddess Durga. Here’s a breakdown of Jamara’s importance:

Religious Significance:

1. Blessings of Goddess Durga: Jamara, which is sprouted barley, maize, or wheat, is planted on the first day of Dashain, known as Ghatasthapana, as part of a sacred ritual. It grows in a sacred pot called a kalash, symbolizing the goddess Durga’s presence and blessings. When the Jamara is harvested and used during the Tika ceremony, it is believed to carry the goddess’s energy and blessings, ensuring the family’s protection and prosperity.
2. Symbol of Fertility and Prosperity: Jamara’s fresh, vibrant yellow-green color signifies fertility, growth, and renewal. As Dashain marks the end of the monsoon season and the beginning of the harvest period in Nepal, the Jamara embodies the agricultural cycle and nature’s renewal, which is central to Nepalese agrarian society. It reflects the hope for a bountiful harvest and abundance in the coming year.

Cultural Significance:

1. A Symbol of Good Fortune: The Jamara is worn as a sign of good fortune, well-being, and success. It is considered auspicious to wear during the Dashain period, and people believe that it brings long-lasting health, prosperity, and happiness.
2. Family Unity and Tradition: The preparation and use of Jamara during Dashain also reinforce family bonds. Jamara is grown in the household and is often planted by the head of the family. Its distribution during the Tika ceremony is a way to pass on tradition, unity, and blessings to the next generation.

Symbol of Nature and Life:

1. Connection to Nature: Growing Jamara during Dashain symbolizes the deep connection between the Nepali people and nature. It is a physical representation of life, growth, and harmony with the natural world, aligning with the agrarian roots of Nepalese culture.
2. Seasonal Transition: Since Dashain coincides with the end of the monsoon and the harvest season, the growing of Jamara reflects the agricultural importance of the festival, marking a period of renewal, regrowth, and preparation for the winter season.

In essence, Jamara is more than just a ritualistic plant. It symbolizes divine blessing, family unity, prosperity, and a connection to nature and the agricultural rhythms that have shaped Nepali society for centuries.

In the end, Dashain has emerged as the heart of Nepali culture, combining religious devotion, cultural unity, and family bonding. Its celebrations spread beyond borders, with Nepalese communities across the world enthusiastically celebrating the festival. Rooted in ancient traditions, Dashain is evolving while balancing modern values ​​and religious rituals. It is a defining festival for Nepali identity and cultural heritage.

Please do not make this festival too modern, but let’s change unnecessary traditions and customs with time. Dasain is celebrated as a festival of religious and cultural harmony. We can all keep the essence of Dashain alive forever. Happy Dashain. Jai Goddess Durga Mata.