Visiting Nepal during Dashain offers the finest blend of natural and cultural experiences.
Dashain, the longest Hindu festival in Nepal, is traditionally celebrated for two weeks with prayers and offerings to Durga, the Universal Mother Goddess. This grand harvest festival is a time for family reunions, the exchange of gifts and blessings, and elaborate pujas. Dashain honors Goddess Durga, created from the shakti or energy of all the gods and armed with weapons from each of them.
Goddess Durga, symbolizing valor and prowess, is worshipped and offered sacrifices to ensure the progress and prosperity of devotees. During the first ten days, pilgrims flock to various river confluences in the morning and sacred shrines in the evening. Ghatasthapana, Phool Pati, Mahaastami, Nawami, and Vijaya Dashami are the series of events under Dashain, each marked with a different set of rituals.
Throughout Dashain, men and women in their finery visit their elders to seek tika (a dab of red vermilion mixed with yogurt and rice) accompanied by blessings. Sword processions (Paayaa) are also held in various parts of the Kathmandu Valley. On Nawami, a large number of animals are officially sacrificed at Hanuman Dhoka, attended by officials, invitees, and visitors.
On the ninth day, the usually restricted Taleju Temple is open to the public. The last day, known as Kojagrat Purnima, is the full moon. New clothes, home visits, grand feasts, kite flying, and village swings are the highlights of Dashain. Around this time, the population of Kathmandu significantly reduces as many people head home to various parts of the country.
On the tenth day, known as Tika, people can be seen moving around with their foreheads covered with rice tika, wearing new clothes. Feasting is abundant as people visit relatives’ homes to receive tika and blessings.
