DASHAIN FESTIVAL 2019
This is the most important Hindu holiday in Nepal. The festival lasts 15 days with several main days that have special significance, the days most businesses will be closed. Families often travel to their home towns to worship the goddess Durga.
It started on September 30 this year and is completed on October 14, but it seems most of the celebration is between October 5, Fulpati, with a parade and October 10, Dwadashi.
The first nine days are called Nawa Ratri. The first day is called Ghatasthapana, which means pot establishing. Kalash a holy vessel is prepared with holy water.
It is a celebration of the gods conquering the demons. This surprised me, as it showed me how, no matter the religion it is a belief of good conquering evil, vice versus virtue.
Christians believe that Jesus came and conquered evil by dieing on the cross. As he died an unseen battle was waged in the Spirit Realm where he conquered death by dieing in our place so we could live and have true life, eternal life with him.
In Hindu tradition there is a story told about the goddess Durga, who fought and killed a demon called Mahisasur. Mahisasur had been cruelly terrorizing the people until Durga conquered and destroyed him. Durga is worshipped during this festival as the symbol of power.
Sacrifices are made several times during the festival. Goats, buffalo, chickens, and ducks are sacrificed to appease the gods. I was told that the blood of the animal is smeared over the door frame, or at least used to be. That reminds me of the Israelites at Passover, how they smeared blood over the door posts so death would pass them by.
So many religions require the blood of animals to bring blessing, freedom, life to the people who believe. Even in Judaism and Christianity blood was needed to bring us close to God. However, in Christianity, Jesus was sacrificed once for all for the forgiveness of sins, to bring us near to the Father so we can live a life of freedom from religious rituals. He was the final sacrifice and no more sacrifice is needed. God is not blood thirsty but filled with love for people. God’s desire is for us to have a personal, intimate relationship with him as our Father, Brother, Friend.
During this time there are many rituals that are followed from decorating the house, setting up the Kalash in the prayer room, where a priest comes to intone a welcome requesting the goddess Durga to bless the kalash vessel with her presence.
The seventh day of the festival is called Fulpati. There is a parade where the Brahmans carry the royal kalash on a decorated palanquin under an embroidered umbrella. After this the feasting begins. Much celebration follows on the eighth day as the god of creativity, Vishwa Karma, is worshipped.
On October 8, 9 and 10 are the days when children will receive Tika, a mixture of rice and red dye placed on their foreheads by elders who bless them. On this day greeting cards and gifts are exchanged. When night falls there are parades and dances.
This has been an interesting time as I have seen women and children dressed in very traditional clothing with Tika’s on their heads travelling to visit relatives. Though thousands of people left Kathmandu to go to their home villages, there were still many people here in Thecho, maybe even some visiting from other places. As I researched this holiday I found there were some differences in websites on what days were called, so I attached some websites for you to check out if you are interested in learning more. However, I hope this has given some insight into the largest festival in Nepal.
Be blessed.
https://www.himalayanst.com/blog/dashain-the-most-auspicious-festival-of-nepal
Another source was Inside Himalayas
https://www.visitnepal.com/nepal_information/dashain.php
See Dashain Festival 2019 and 2020 calendar for list of special days and their dates
An Adventurous Life 