dashin

Описание: 🇳🇵 Dashain Festival (दशैँ)

Dashain is the longest and most significant Hindu festival in Nepal, celebrated by people of almost all communities, though particularly important to Hindus. It generally falls between September and October, depending on the lunar calendar, and lasts for 15 days.

🔆 Meaning and Importance:

Dashain celebrates the victory of good over evil, particularly the goddess Durga’s triumph over the demon Mahishasura. It is also a time to:

Worship the divine feminine power (Shakti)

Receive blessings from elders

Spend time with family and relatives

Return home from abroad or the cities (a major time for reunions)

🗓️ Key Days of Dashain:

Ghatasthapana – Day 1
Seeds (called Jamara) are planted as a symbol of growth and blessings.

Fulpati – Day 7
Sacred flowers and offerings are brought to homes or temples.

Maha Ashtami – Day 8
Worship of Kali; animal sacrifices are common in some traditions.

Maha Navami – Day 9
Sacred rituals for protection; tools, vehicles, and machinery are worshipped (Ayudha Puja).

Vijaya Dashami – Day 10
The main day: Elders put Tika (rice, yogurt, and red vermilion) and Jamara on younger relatives' foreheads, offering blessings.

Kojagrat Purnima – Day 15
The final day; worship of Laxmi, the goddess of wealth.

🎉 Traditions and Practices:

Tika and Jamara: Symbolic blessings passed down from elders.

Animal sacrifices: Especially in Durga temples (though controversial and less common in urban areas now).

Flying kites, playing cards, swings (ping), and new clothes are all part of the celebrations.

Feasting on meat, rice, and traditional delicacies.

🌾 Symbolism:

Jamara: Grown from barley, symbolizes prosperity.

Red Tika: Sign of blessings, power, and victory.

Durga: The goddess represents strength and the ability to destroy evil.

🧡 Cultural Impact:

Dashain is not just religious—it’s a time of homecoming, unity, and renewal.

Schools, businesses, and government offices close, and travel peaks as people return to their ancestral homes.

The economy sees a big boost from shopping, livestock sales, and gift-giving.