Dashain (Bijaya Dashami) is the festival full of Ecstasy, Enthusiasm, Cheers, Happiness among each other and especially, it’s a festival that collabs Nepalese spreading over the world. In the name of Goddess of war Durga (Adi Parashakti) Dashain is celebrated for 14 days, starting from Ghatasthapana to Tika Purnima(Kojagrat Purnima).
Priorly Dashain festival falls in the month of Ashwin (Nepali Month) (August – October). The entire month is celebrated as the festive time. And this festival is not dedicated to the particular caste of family rather it’s a festival of entire Nepalese. The festival does not discriminate whether you are in an Urban city or Rural city, whether you are inside your own country or outside, also it will not discriminate whether you are from a low-caste family or a high caste. It’s a global festival celebrated by each and every Nepalese.
That expression of swinging in a Ping, Kites over the sky, people happiness on going back to Home or relatives and that unforgettable time of spending a couple of days with family, friends, and relatives by playing cards or having a great meal and importantly taking blessing with the Tika and Jamara from our elders is the major sides of Dashain festival of Nepalese.
This festival also symbolizes the “win of Truth over the Untruth”.
Nine days before the Dashami has got its own day value. Ghatasthapana is the first day of Dashain and on this day, people place the barley seeds and sow maze on a vessel that is full of Sand and holy water. The vessel is kept away from the rays of sunlight and is placed and worshipped for nine days. On the 10th day of Dashain, people place Jamara in his/her head. Jamara is the sign of Peace and Prosperity. Besides the holy belief, Jamara is a source of Carbohydrate, Protein, Vitamin, etc. so, having a cup of fresh Juice of Jamara is beneficial to our health.
The rituals of pouring water in the Jamara will continue for the Ninth day of Dashain.
7th day of Dashain is known as Phulpati else Saptami. This is also the major day in Dashain where Brahmins from Gorkha brought Jamara and Sugarcane, Banana stalks and the royal Kalash which is tied up with a red cloth. On this day, the Nepalese Army along with Hundreds of Government officer organizes a Grand opening of Dashain by firing and performing different rituals. and the program is known as Phulpati Parade.
8th day is known as Maha Ashtami on this day people offer the animals in the name of Goddess Durga. On this Day in Dashain Ghar, people offer 54 buffaloes and 54 goats.
9th Day is a Maha Navami, On this day the Taleju Temple of Kathmandu Durbar Square is open. Throughout the year, the temple is open on this day only. And this is the last day of Navaratri.
10th Day is known as Bijaya Dashami, where people take the blessings along with Tika and Jamara from our elders. The Tika that is placed on the forehead is the mixture of rice, Yogurt, and vermilion. The rituals of taking blessings and putting Tika and Jamara in the forehead will continue for 5 more days till Kojagrat Purnima.
15th Day is the last of Dashain and is usually falls on full moon day. The literal meaning of Kojgrat Purnima is “Who is awake”. People usually worship the Goddess Laxmi. And from this day, people will start celebrating another great festival Tihar.
Dashain is the festival to exchange Cheers, Ecstasy, Enthusiasm among each other. People usually get a good time to get around with their relatives on this day.
