The Dashain festival begins in the month of Asoj or Kartik, end of September or October, The Nepalese celebrate Dashain as the biggest festival in the year. Dashain is the longest and most auspicious festival according to Nepali calendar, celebrated by all Nepalese castes and religions across the country. The 9 days’ celebration takes place on the 15th day before the full moon, which ends on the full moon day . Throughout Nepal, people worship Goddess Durga forms by innumerable, abundant offerings and thousands of animal sacrifices for religious holy baths, thus soaking the Goddess in blood for days.
Dashain commemorates the great victory of the gods over the evil demons. called victory stories of Ramayana, where Lord Rama killed the demon king Ravana after a great struggle. It is believed that Lord Rama succeeded in battle only after worshiping Durga. The main festival glorifies the victory of good over evil and symbolizes the slaying of Mahisasura, the terrifying monster that terrorizes the earth in the guise of a fierce water buffalo.
The first nine days represent the nine-day iron battle between Goddess Durga and the giant Mahishasura. The tenth day is the day of the slaughter of Mahishasura and the last five days symbolize the celebration of victory with blessings the goddess. Dashain is celebrated with great rejoicing and Goddess Durga worshiped as Goddess Mata throughout the state.
Preparation for Dashain starts with every house cleaned, and decorated in a beautiful manner. The mother goddess is depicted as an invitation, so that she may bless the house with vision and good luck. During this time close and distant relatives visit every home. The market is filled with people looking for new clothes, gifts, luxuries and temple offerings to the gods, as well as food for family feasts. Thousands of sheep, goats, ducks, chickens and water buffaloes are ready for Mahakali. All types of organizations are closed for ten to fifteen days. It is almost impossible to find workers, Everyone from rich to poor enjoys the festival. Wherever you go, you will find the fragrance of Vijayadashami.
The first nine days of Dashain are called Navratri. Life force in Nepal are contained in the divine power and strength of women, who are depicted in many forms of Goddess Durga. All the goddesses born from the goddess Durga are worshipped as goddesses, each with different aspects and powers. In temples, the deity is figured as a goddess with only a sacred urn and a carved water jug, or a multi-handed weapon carrying a killer weapon. During these nine days people worship the goddess. If she is properly worshiped and happy, she will bring good fortune on the way, and if she is neglected she will become angry, with misfortune around the corner. Mother Goddess is the source of life and everything.
The first day of Dashain is called Ghatasthapana, which literally means vessel installation. This day, the urn, vessel of holy water as a symbol of Goddess Durga are often placed in the prayer room with the image embossed beside her. The urn is filled with holy water and covered with dung; seeds are sown. A small rectangular sand block is made and the urn is placed in the center. Grain also scattered on the bed around the sand. Ghatasthapana ritual is performed by astrologers at a certain auspicious time. At that special moment, the priest greets Goddess Durga requesting her to bless her presence.
The room where the urn installed is called Dashain Ghar. Women are generally barred from entering the Dashain worship room. The priest or householder worships the urn once a day, in the morning and in the evening. The urn and sand are sprinkled with holy water every day and it protected from direct sunlight. On the tenth day the seed will grow and become five or six inches long yellow grass. The sacred yellow grass is called jamara. During the last five days of blessings the elders usually place somes on the head of the younger one. Jamara is considered as a symbol of Goddess Durga as well as a blessing from senior citizens.
The day goes on and regular rituals are performed till the seventh days. The seventh days, it called Fulpati.
On the eighth day called Maha Ashtami, the zeal for worship and sacrifice of Durga and Kali increases. Many Hindus will fast on this day. Sacrifices are performed throughout the day in every home. The night of the eighth day is called black night. Hundreds of goats, sheep and buffaloes are sacrificed in temples. Sacrifices continue till the morning. During the Puja a large quantity of meat is consumed in the houses by common people.
The ninth day is called Navami, The temples of the Mother Goddess are filled with people from morning till evening. Black buffaloes are often killed to honor and seek the blessings of Goddess Durga, the goddess of victory and power. Military bands play war tunes; guns boom and officers stand in full uniform with beautifully decorated medals. After the ceremony the courtyard is filled with blood.
Vishwakarma the god of creativity, is also worshiped on this day. All the factories, vehicles, any machinery tools and whatever make a worship, and also sacrifice for all moving machinery like cars, airplanes, trucks etc. to get the grace of Goddess Durga for the safety of vehicles and passengers from accidents that happen throughout the year. It is colorful all day long.
On the tenth day called Dashmi, people receive blessings from the elders by taking Tika and Jamara, meet elders at the house while younger ones come for blessings. This day is also important as relatives from far and wide come to visit and receive blessings from the head of the family. The program lasts four days. After four days of running and meeting relatives, Dashain ends on the full moon, that means on the fifteenth day. On the last day people rest at home. The day of the full moon is also called Kojagrata which means awakened. Goddess Lakshmi of Hindu wealth is worshiped. On this day, Mother Lakshmi invites everyone to visit.
After ten or fifteen days, everyone returns to normal after receiving the grace of Goddess Durga. Man is ready to acquire virtue, power and wealth and work. Thus, Dashain is not only the longest festival of all the festivals of Nepal but also the most important.
The main days of Dashain
Day 01: Ghatasthapana, 3rd Octber
Day 07: Phulpati, 10th October
Day 08: Maha Ashtami or Durga Ashtami, 11th October
Day 09: Maha Navami or Durga Navami, 11th October
Day 10: Vijaya Dashami or Bijaya Dashami, 12th October
Day 15: Kojagrat Purnima, 16th October 2024,
Furthermore, if you need help to manage plans for this celebration, kindly keep in touch with Himalayanrandoner, we will support you.
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