Dashain

The pleasant post- monsoon period when the sky is clearest, the air is cleanest and the rice is ready for harvesting 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. The fifteen days of celebration occurs during the bright lunar fortnight ending on the day of the full moon. Thorough out the kingdom of Nepal the goddess Durga in all her manifestations are worshiped with innumerable pujas, abundant offerings and thousands of animal sacrifices for the ritual holy bathing, thus drenching the goddess for days in blood. The first day of Dashain is called Ghatasthapana, which means establishing of the holy water vessel, which represents the goddess Durga. Barley seeds are planted in it. The seventh day or Phulpati is the offering of flowers and leaves, carried by runners from Gorkha the ancestral home of the Shah Kings of Nepal, and received by the king in Kathmandu.
The eighth day is called the ‘Maha Asthami’. The fervor of worship and sacrifice to Durga and Kale increases. On this day many orthodox Hindus will be fasting. Sacrifices are held in almost every house through out the day.
The night of the eighth day is called ‘Kal Ratri’ the dark night. Hundreds of goats, sheep and buffaloes are sacrificed at the mother goddess temples. In the darkness of the night Nepal hold sacrifices for the mother goddess.
The tenth day is the ‘Dashami’. On this day we take tika and jamara from the elders and receive their blessing. People visit their elder’s home and get tikas from them while younger ones come to the home to receive blessing from elders. The importance of Dashain also lies in the fact that on this day family members from far off and distant relatives come for a visit as well as to receive taka from the head of the family. This function continues for four days.