Dashain

Dashain is one of the most important festival celebrated all over Nepal. This festival is the longest and the most auspicious festival in the year. This festival is celebrated for 15 days. In this festival goddess Durga and her various manifestations are especially worshiped throughout the Shaktipeeths of Kathmandu Valley. People return from all around world, to celebrate together with family and relatives. Family reunions, exchange of gifts and blessings are also observed in this festival. All government offices, educational institutions and other offices remain closed during this festival.

Day 1: Ghatasthapana
Ghaasthapana marks the beginning of Dashain. Literally, it means placing a kalasha or a pot, which symbolizes goddess Durga. The kalash is filled with holy water and covered with cow dung on to which seeds are sown. A small rectangular
sand block is made and the kalash is put in the centre. The goddess is believed to reside in the vessel during navratri. The room where the kalash is established is called ‘Dashain Ghar’. Kalash and sand is sprinkled with holy water everyday and it is kept away from direct sunlight. By the tenth day, the seed will have grown to long yellow grass. This yellow grass is called ‘Jamara’.

Day 7: Phulpati
The seventh day is called Phulpati. In phulpati, the royal kalash filled with holy water, banana stalks, jamara and sugar cane tied with red cloth is carried by Brahmans on a decorated palanquin under a gold tipped and embroidered umbrella from Gorkha, about 169 kilometers away from Kathmandu valley.

Day 8: Maha Asthami
The eight day is called Maha Asthami. On this day the sacrifice of buffaloes, goats, hens and ducks in temples throughout the nation as offering to the god Kali(most fierce Goddess Durga’s manifestations). On this day Newar community has an event called “Khadga Puja” where they do puja of their weapons. The night of this day is called Kaal Ratri.

Day 9: Maha Navami
The ninth day of dashain is called Mahanavami. On this day the god of creation, is worshiped as it believed that all the things which help us in making a living should be kept happy. All factories, vehicles, any machinery instruments and anything from which we make a living are worshiped. It is believed that worshiping vehicles on this day avoids accidents for the year all the vehicles are worshiped on this day. Taleju Temple gates are opened to general public only on this day of the year. Thousands of devotees visit Taleju Temple this day.

Day 10: Bijaya Dashami
The tenth day of dashain is called Bijaya Dashami. Elders put this tika and jamara which was sown on the day of Ghatasthapana on the forehead of younger family members and relatives to bless them with abundance in the upcoming years. This continues for five days till the full moon during which families and relatives visit each other to exchange gifts and greetings.

Day 15: Kojagrat Purnima
The last day of the dashian is called Kojagrat Purnima, it is observed on the full moon day. On this day Goddess Laxmi(goddess of wealth) is worshiped as it is believed that Goddess Laxmi descends on earth and showers whoever is awake all night with wealth and prosperity.