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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.
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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 Dasain is called
Ghatasthapana, which means establishing
of the holy water vessel, which
represents the goddess Durga. Barley
seeds are planted in it.
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The seventh day or Phulapati
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
fervour of worship and sacrifice
to Durga and Kali increases.
On this day many orthodox
Hindus will be fasting.
Sacrifices are held in almost
every house through out
the day.
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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
Durga temples, army barracks,
and old palaces all over Nepal
hold sacrifices for the mother
goddess
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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 tika from them
while younger ones come to the home to
receive blessing from elders. The importance
of Dasain 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 tika from the head
of the family. This function continues
for four days.
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Dashain is big in Nepal mainly for the followings :
- Holidays - Rest and Relaxation for nearly 10 days!
This is the longest festival in Nepal. It allows one to travel and be with family and friends for upto a week or more.
- Shopping - Clothes for wife, children, dad, mum, and all
except you!
In spite of extreme hardship, during the festival season, Nepalese
families manage to shop if not for all, but at least for the children.
Clothes are the most selling item during the season.
Those who could not afford to wear even a single new cloth in the entire
year will now attempt!
- Dashain Bonus - Nepali Government gives Bonus to government
workers as a Dashain bonus (Usually equals to one's monthly salary).
Some private companies such as Banks do the same. Farmers earn their
bonus by selling their highly demanded agriculture and live-stock
products in return for a good cash
- Eating - Meat Products, Sweets, Fruits, and meat products
again!.
Dashain's most popular cuisine is meat, and in popularity order are goat
meat, sheep, buffalo, duck, and chicken. Meat is expensive and poor to
middle class families usually can not afford it.
So dashain is the time of eating lots of meat.
Usually animals are bought live from the animal market such as Kalanki
Bazaar, Bag Bazaar, and sacrificed at home or in temples.
At home, the whole family is involved in cutting and preparing the meat
which usually lasts for 2 to 3 day's of feast. But some family prefer to
buy the meat already prepared by Butchers
- Visiting - Meet your Family and Friends near and far
Dashain is also about forgiveness, kindness and respect, all of which prevails so broken families come together.
Cities suddenly seems to empty itself, more people returning back in villages or terai
(lower, flat region of Nepal) than that of people joining families in
cities. During this season, city rushes to book tickets, bus or plane!
- Kites - Children love the season also for flying Kites
If you visit Kathmandu or any other city during this season, the day-sky
is filled with colorful kites like shinning stars in the night!
- Tika and Love - Receiving and Giving Tika and Respect.
Getting a tika from an older person in your family or from relatives or
from anyone is a blessing.
Dashain tika begins from the oldest person in your family giving tika to
the youngest then the second youngest in the family and so on.
Faith, hope, inspiration and blessings, all come alive in Dashain.
- Money Notes - stacks of notes to give!
Receive a tika and offer money notes as an appreciation. Popular Dashain notes are Rupees 2, 5, 10, and Rupees 25.
Everybody tries to exchange for smaller and new notes, so banks are usually busy during the season.
- Cleaning - Clean and decorate homes
Walls get a new coat of paints, roads are cleaned better than before,
temples are decorated with lights,
villagers join together to clean and build new trails, paint their homes
using red-colored mud. People clean themselves mentally too by visiting
various temples and worshiping during the festival.
- Puja - Worshiping God for Peace and Prosperity
Various pujas are performed from beginning to the end of Dashain.
- Gambling - although not legal in Nepal, but it's played!
Playing cards are popular during Dashain. Usually family members play cards with each-other or with friends for money.
- Fairs and Celebration - ride, eat, play games, be with friends!
Village children ride on Ferris wheels, and swings built using traditional methods (ropes made from tough grass,
bamboo sticks and wood). Commercial fairs and celebration events are organized in cities.
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