09/10/2016
Happy Dashain!
With the passing of time, the meaning of Dashain is also changing. Today, Dashain is not just a Hindu festival in Nepal, it is also an occasion for family gatherings and reunions, irrespective of race and religion.
There is no certain historicity about Dashain, it has a mythic origin, so grand that today no other festival in Nepal equals Dashain. Many of the Hindu festivals do not have historicity. All we can say about the origin of a certain festival is the myth we know about them. We do not know since when we have been celebrating Dashain, however, most of us are aware about the mythic origin of this festival. Festivals, no doubt, are recreational activities of a religious nature; and religion is a far bigger part of our life.
As Dashain festival is going on, We would like to share with our guest how Dashain is celebrated....
Day 1 ( Ghatasthapana )
Ghatasthapana is the first day of Bada Dashain. In this day, a male family member plant the jamara in moist sand using barley seeds especially corn seeds. Traditionally as per the rituals outsiders are not allowed to enter or see the place where it is planted. By the tenth day of the festival, the seed will have grown to yellow grass, which is used with tika to bless people with lots of prosperity and happiness.
Read more about Ghatasthapana
Day 7 ( Fulpati )
The special essence of festival gets from this day. On this auspicious day, a military parade is organized at Hanuman Dhoka. The Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Civil Service, Band Music and Panchebaja also join the fulpati parade. People clean their houses and decorate their houses with flowers.
Maha Navami durgaDay 8 ( Maha Ashtami )
The festive will be continued as Maha Ashtami. Thousands of goats, sheep, buffaloes, ducks and hens are sacrificed in Goddess Temple almost from every home. In Newar Community, Kuchi Bhoe is prepared in which ritually people should eat two pathi of beaten rice including various types of dishes.
Day 9 ( Maha Nawami )
The ninth day of the festival is known as Maha Nawami. Once in a year this day, the Taleju Temple gates of basantapur are opened for the general public. Thousands of devotees go and pay respect to the goddess all along the day. This day is also known as Viswakarma day. All the factories, machines including vehicles like motorbikes, cycles, cars and other household things like hammer, books, pens and pencils, etc are worshipped.
Day 10 ( Tika / Vijaya Dashami)
The tenth day of festival is known as Vijaya Dashami or “Tika”. On this auspisous day, tika and jamara (which is sewn in the ghatasthapana) are taken from elders and blessing is received including “Dakshin” (Money). This function continues for four days till the full moon during that period, family and relatives who are apart attend to meet each other and take blessings from the elders. This is the day that helps to keep special bonding between families and relatives so it is celebrated intellectually in the society.