Dashain in Bhutan

When did the Dashain in Bhutan start?

The first recorded date of Dashain in Bhutan being celebrated on October 12 was in the year 1711.

About Dashain in Bhutan Holiday

Welcome to Bhutan for Dashain, the grandest festival of the land. Dashain is celebrated in Bhutan with much zeal and enthusiasm to honor the Victory of Good over Evil. Celebrations last for fifteen days with a myriad of rituals.

Dashain marks the commemoration of the victory of Lord Rama over evil demon Ravana and symbolizes the victory of good over evil. People gather to perform various pujas and traditional rituals of the festival with the family, often sporting traditional clothing. Hundreds of families in Bhutan celebrate by visiting the local temples and enjoying the vibrant culture of the area.

The festival of Dashain in Bhutan is a time for spiritual enrichment, joyous celebration, and traditional feasting. The traditions of the land come alive during this time and the prayers of many hearts are united in collective joy. People gather in their homes, families visit each other, and large feasts are organized. All communities celebrate Dashain together in unity, joy, and copious amounts of delicious local food. So, come and enjoy the festivities of Dashain in Bhutan!

Introduction

Dashain is one of the most anticipated and significant festivals celebrated in Bhutan. It is celebrated with great pomp and what makes it special is that it is both a religious and a national festival of Bhutan. Not only is it a time of joy and celebration but also of family unity and thanksgiving for the blessings from the gods. It is a time of gratitude and to express the value of Bhutanese culture and traditions. It is celebrated with decorating homes and lighting lamps, partaking in feasts and special prayers, and joyously celebrating it with loved ones.

History and Origin

The origin of Dashain dates to the time of Ramayana when King Ravana was defeated by Lord Ram and Goddess Sita. Upon their victory over the Rakshasa, gods were joyously rejoiced in upon the sky, singing, and dancing. The festival originally found its source of inspiration from this legend of mythological past.

Rooted in the ancient customs of Nepalese and Indian history, the observance of this festival has evolved over time. Dashain was once merely a celebration which was observed as a harvest festival. The ritual of exchanging greetings and gifts was not popular during these days, and many of the customs and practices were largely confined to religion. Over the centuries, however, this has changed, with more elements being included into the celebration from different religions, cultures and folktales.

Significance and Meaning

The pious festival has a deep meaning to the Bhutanese as it symbolizes the victory of good over evil. It is also a time to uphold the good values of family unity, reunion, and acceptance of cultural heritage. It is a time to put aside differences and embrace the spirit of the season. In the Buddhist tradition, the festival is accompanied by spiritual activities such as takin sacrifice, paying respect to elders, and seeking their blessings known as ‘Tika’. Over the ages, the festival has brought countless families and communities together and given opportunity for friends and family members scattered around the globe to come together to enjoy the celebration.

Traditions and Celebrations

The festival is preceded by 15 days of festivities and preparation. It is marked by the phulchowk- a colorful preparation of flowering offerings to the Mother Goddess. The raising of the ceremonial lingo is also a striking feature of Dashain. This is done by householders and is a symbol of courage and victory. The festival is celebrated with great fervor and joy with every family honoring the gods and Goddesses with special prayers and puja ceremonies. The festival culminates on the 15th day with the celebration of the victory of good over evil. People offer ‘tika’ (blessing in the form of rice), put on red robes, feast, and exchange-greetings with the wish of prosperity.

Geographical Spread

Dashain is celebrated in Bhutan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and by Bhutanese residing in the USA, Malaysia, and Australia. Though some of the regional celebrations differ slightly in terms of customs, the general theme of the celebration remains the same. While the new-age religious practices include visits to various temples in Hindu and Buddhist traditions, countries like Bhutan and Nepal observe a ritualistic practice of kite flying. The kites of various sizes and designs are believed to give blessings and attract positive energy.

Modern Day Observations

Modern day Dashain celebration involves the use of technology, such as online multimedia sharing, to expand the reach of the festival. This has also enabled people to instantly connect with members residing in far lofts corners of the globe with the click of a button. Moreover, modern day observances also include the rise of commercialization, with people watching movies and partaking in feasts as part of the celebration.

Interesting Facts or Trivia

-Dashain is considered to be the longest and the most important festival in the Nepalese and Bhutanese culture.
-Mother Goddess is worshipped in Dashain and offerings such as flowers, mithai, and kheer are made to the deities.
-Among Hindus, animal sacrifice is an important ritual of this festival.
-The Newar Community celebrates Dashain as the festival of Ramnawami.
-The Royal family of Bhutan celebrate Dashain with great pomp and grandeur.
-Kite flying is an important ritual of Dashain.
-It is believed that celebrating Dashain with grandeur brings prosperity and good luck.
-Gifts such as clothes and jewelry are given to family members.
-Sweets and local delicacies are cooked and served during Dashain.
-Dashain also marks the onset of Autumn in many countries like India and Nepal.

Holiday Wishes

-Wishing that the divine presence of Goddess Durga will bring prosperity and joy to your life.
-Wishing you a joyous celebration of Dashain with your family.
-May the festival shower upon you, good luck and lots of joy.
-Wishing that joy and peace prevail in your life and your family.
-Wishing you a successful 2019 Dashain.

Holiday Messages

-Spend quality time with your near and dear ones and enjoy the festivities of Dashain.
-Let the glory of Dashain fill your life with new hopes and aspirations.
-Embrace the spirit of the festival with friends, family, and your loved ones.
-Wish to invoke the blessings of divine gods and goddesses this Dashain.
-Let the festivities of Dashain usher in a time of joy and happiness.

Holiday Quotes

-“May this Dashain be as bright as ever. May this Dashain bring joy, good luck and happiness to you and your family. Happy Dashain.”
-“On the pious occasion of Dashain, here’s wishing that you are showered with loads of good luck, success, and prosperity.”
-“On the joyous occasion of Dashain, here’s wishing that this festival brings in lots of love, peace, and prosperity to your life.”
-“May you have a blessed and prosperous Dashain. Wishing you joy and happiness.”
-“Let the colours of Dashain joy, prosperity, and happiness spread to your life. Wishing you and your family a very Happy Dashain.”

Other Popular Holiday Info

The auspicious occasion of Dashain is celebrated by different communities with unique practices. Among the Hindu and Buddhist culture, a popular practice in Bhutan is the burning of fireworks in the sky. The belief is that burning of crackers helps in purification of the air and attracts the blessings of divine gods.

Furthermore, Dashain is also celebrated by the Buddhist community as Vijaya Dashami and involves various rituals. The Dalai Lama performs Palden Lhamo Puja during this occasion. Apart from this, rituals such as karpo are performed in which various mantras and offerings are made in meditation.

Another popular practice is of going trekking. It is believed that trekking on the auspicious occasion of Dashain will give good results in future. During trekking, pilgrims go for spiritual expeditions to holy sites in Bhutan and gather the blessings of divine forces.

Conclusion

Dashain is a vibrant, much-awaited festival in the culture of Bhutan. The festival is celebrated with great joy and fervor and is observed by all age groups across the country. It is a time to make merry, to seek blessings from Gods, and to celebrate family reunion. Celebrated with enthusiasm and simplicity, the festival is a symbol of victory of good over evil.