Page 49 - Cornice_Grade 5

Dashain

Dashain is the
longest and most auspicious
Hindu festival in Nepal. It is
celebrated for fifteen days.
We traditionally celebrate
Dashain with prayers and
offerings to our Universal
Mother Goddess Durga.
Durga fought for ten days
and killed many demons.
To symbolize Durga’s
manifestations, we celebrate
Dashain. Dashain is also the
time for family reunions,
exchange of gifts, blessings
and elaborate pujas. The
main days of Dashain are
Ghathastapana, Phulpati, Ashtami, Nawami and Vijaya Dashami.

Ghatasthapana marks the first day of Dashain. On this day we worship Shailaputri. Kal-
ash is filled with holy water and is then sown with barley seeds. On the second day, we worship
Bhramcharini to get happiness, peace, prosperity and grace for tranquility in our life. We wor-
ship goddess Chandraghanta Bhagwati on the third day of Dashain. This goddess is the third
form of Durga. On the fourth day, we worship goddess Kushmanda. Ku: a little, ushma: warmth
and anda: cosmic egg. On the fifth day, goddess Sakandamata is worshiped. It is believed that
worshiping her leads to pure consciousness. We worship Katyayani on the sixth day of Dashain.
She carried a lotus flower and a sword in her hands.

Phulpati is celebrated on the seventh day of Dashain. On this day we worship Mahagau-
ri. Royal Kalash, banana stalks, jamara (sacred grass) and sugar cane are brought by Magars
from Gorkha Palace. These items are tied with red cloth. Hundreds of government officials gath-
er in Tudikhel grounds in formal dress to watch the event. Ashtami is the eighth day of Dashain.
It is the day when the most fierce of Durga’s manifestations, bloodthirsty Kali, is worshiped by
sacrificing buffaloes, goats, hens and ducks. The night of this day is called Kalratri.
Nawami is the ninth day of Navratri. On this day people make sacrifices in the Hanuman Dho-
ka. This day is also known as Demon Hunting day, because members of the defeated demon
army hide in the bodies of animals to save themselves. People also worship Siddhidatri and
Vishwakarma. On this day, people wash vehicles and machinery parts and offer puja for their
safety.
The last day of Dashain is Vijaya Dashami. A mixture of rice, vermilion and yogurt is
prepared. It is known as “Tika”. On this day elders put tika on the younger ones and give bless-
ings. Families and relatives also visit each other and exchange gifts and greetings.

- Luneva Singh