When did the Dashami (Dashain) in Nepal start?
About Dashami (Dashain) in Nepal Holiday
Dashami or Dashain is a significant Hindu festival celebrated in Nepal. It is the longest and most significant festival celebrated annually over a period of 16 days, beginning from the bright lunar day of Shukla Paksha’s Ashwin month to the full moon day known as the Kojagrat Purnima. Dashami is one of the most important traditional festivals of Nepal, and it is celebrated with great joy and excitement.
As an ancient festival, Dashain is believed to have originated from the epic Ramayana and is said to commemorate the victory of goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. It is believed that during Dashain, a period of immense good luck and prosperity prevails in Nepal. Throughout the festival, the country embarks on a flurry of activities such as offering prayers to the gods, organizing fairs and religious gala’s, exchanging gifts with family and friends, witnessing grand firework displays,displaying Kilash of Goddess Durga at every home, worshipping the animals, enjoying special delicacies of the festivals, camping and trekking.
The magnificence of Dashami can be experienced through its vibrancy in the different communities around the country. The festival brings together people from different castes, races and religions who come together to celebrate the victory of good over evil and for a period of prosperity, peace and good luck. It is truly an unforgettable experience to witness the cultural heritage of Nepal at its best.
Dashami: A Journey through the History, Traditions, and Celebrations of Dashami (Dashain) in Nepal
History and Origin
Dashami (also known as Dashain) is the longest and the most celebrated public holiday in Nepal. It’s celebrated over 15 days in October or early November with a grand procession of worshipping and honoring Gods and Goddesses.
According to legends, Dashami dates back to the time of Bhagwan (God) Ram who is said to have spent Dashami at his maternal uncle’s (Mata Kushalbhadra’s) house after conquering Lanka and killing Ravana. Mata Kushalbhadra, who informed him about his mother Kaushalya, had a daughter Shanta. Thus, Dashami is the day when Shanta was given the blessings by her mother.
It is believed that the people of the ancient Kirat kingdom also celebrated Dashami long ago. It is said that the Kirats celebrated Dashami to mark the victory of their king, Yalamber, over the oppressive King of Kathmandu.
The Hindu Goddess of power, Durga, is the venerated deity of Dashami. Durga is seen as the supreme protector who has slain evil and fortified virtue. The original Dashami festival is a tribute to Goddess Durga and includes sacrifices and worship of her.
Significance and Meaning
Dashami has immense cultural, religious, and social significance in Nepal. It is a time for families to gather and celebrate together with traditions of sacrificing goats, sacrificing chickens, and worshipping deities around the jamara tree for blessings. Jamara is a type of grass used to ward off evil and the tree symbolizes the blessing of Heaven.
The festival has a special significance for married women who pray to the goddess for the health and long life of their husbands and children. It is also a time for unmarried girls who perform the Kumari Puja and receive blessings of good luck in their future endeavors
Traditions and Celebrations
The celebrations of Dashami typically begins with Ghatasthapana and continues with different rituals for nine days. Ghatasthapana is the first day of Dashami where the jamara tree is placed in a copper vessel filled with water mixed with barley and cow dung. On the sixth day, Kojagrat Purnima, devotees conduct feasts, perform worship, and make offerings of special items such as eggs, yogurt, and ritual cakes.
On the seventh day, known as Phulpati (flower garland), is marked by a grand parade of two chariots – one to honor Goddess Durga, and the other to honor God Vishnu – carried through the streets of Nepal, with the chariots are drawn by devotees and adorned with flowers of various colors.
The 10th day, known as Bijaya Dashami, is considered the most auspicious day of celebration. Families visit each other, exchange gifts, feast, feast on special dishes, and enjoy family reunions. Friends and relatives visit each other’s homes, too, and enjoy performances of cultural songs and dances.
The last 5 days are known as Tika, which symbolizes devotion, love, and goodwill between all. On this day, family elders shower blessings and apply Tika marks on the forehead of younger family members, which is usually a mixture of yogurt and rice, and may also include vermillion and other auspicious items.
Geographical Spread
Dashami is most prominently celebrated in the Himalayan region of Nepal, including Kathmandu valley and Terai region. The festival is celebrated with much fanfare and traditional sacrifices, with animal sacrifices being an important part. In the western parts of Nepal, the festival is also known as Bijaya Dashami and Tihar, where it is mostly celebrated in the same pattern.
In the eastern parts of Nepal, the festival is celebrated as Durga Puja, where Goddess Durga is worshipped with much fanfare and elaborate offerings. In Brahmin and Chettri communities of Nepal, the festival is celebrated as a harvest festival called Bijaya Dashami. It is celebrated with the same traditional customs and rituals of sacrificing goats, chickens, and worshipping around the jamara tree.
Modern Day Observations
In modern day Nepal, Dashami is celebrated with a mix of religious and cultural rituals. While at the heart of it, the festival is about paying homage to gods and goddesses, in contemporary times Dashami is celebrated as a family festival, with special emphasis on bringing family together.
Gift giving, and exchange of dearly-crafted stall cards and best wishes, have become integral to the celebrations of Dashami. There has been a harmonious coexistence of traditional observances and modern rituals, with both the concepts going hand-in-hand.
Interesting Facts or Trivia
•Dashami is celebrated by both Hindus and Buddhists, as this festival marks the victory of Durga over devil and brings joy to people.
•Houses are lit up with oil lamps on the last five days of Dashami.
•Most of the dishes served during the festival are vegetarian.
•In some areas of Nepal, exchange of currency notes in red envelopes is a popular practice.
•Dashami is also celebrated as a mark of victory of good over evil.
•In some parts of Nepal, people go for a pilgrimage called Dashani or Dussehra.
•One of the main symbols of Dashami is the jamara tree.
•The teej festival falls on Dashami.
•In some parts of Nepal, Dashami is celebrated as a harvest festival.
•In some areas of Nepal, Dashami is known as Bijayadashmi.
Holiday Wishes
1. May Dashain fill your life with joy, success and fortune.
2. May you have a good health and long life together with your family and friends.
3. Warmest wishes for a wonderful Dashain.
4. Wishing you and your family a blessed Dashain and a prosperous new year.
5. Wishing peace, love, and joy for you and your loved ones this Dashain.
Holiday Messages
1. May your Dashain be a blessed and happy one.
2. May this Dashain be peaceful and joyful for you and your family.
3. Wishing you a wonderful Dashain filled with love and joy.
4. May the divine grace of God be with you this Dashain and throughout the year.
5. Wishing you all the best on this special occasion of Dashain.
Holiday Quotes
1. “With the coming of Dashain, may all of your grievances be gone. May your good fortune prevail and your evil go away.” -Anonymous
2. “Celebrate the victory of truth over evil and the coming of a brighter fortune. May your Dashain be an occasion of joy.” -Anonymous
3. “On this happy occasion of Dashain, may your life be filled with peace and prosperity. Best wishes for the festival!” -Anonymous
4. “As the world gets ready for Dashain, may all of your wishes and dreams come true.” -Anonymous
5. “My blessing to you, this joyous festival of Dashain. Spread joy, love, peace and prosperity wherever you go.” -Anonymous
Other Popular Holiday Info
Dashami is an important holiday in Nepal that celebrates the accomplishments of Goddess Durga and the good fortune of the Nepali people. It is a time for families to come together and exchange blessings and wishes, and to celebrate by feasting, singing, and dancing.
In recent times, Dashami has come to symbolize a reminder of being grateful for our blessings and a call for us to come closer to each other, living by the principles of togetherness and mutual respect. Dashami is a festival of hope – a hope that for each year new dawns will bring in wealth, health, and good luck to all.
Finally, Dashami is an important festival in Nepal that celebrates the triumph of good over evil, and the coming of a brighter future. It is a time for Nepali families to come together and it is an opportunity to forge closer bonds with each other. Wishing you all a very Happy Dashami!
Dashami (Dashain) in Nepal Also Called
Vijaya Dashami.
FUN FACT:
In year 1025, Dashami (Dashain) in Nepal is celebrated on October 24 for the first time.HOLIDAY CHECK: We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, please click here to contact us!