Dashain
Dashain is the greatest festival of Nepal Hindus. Like other festivals, it is also based on the lunar clendar and falls in the months of Aswin or Kartik. Dashain is observed for 15 days from the new moon day (Ghatasthapana) to the full moon day (Kojagrat Purnima). It is a festival of great delight, enthusiasm and rapture.
The time of Dashain is very fine. The weather is fair and mild. There is no more mud or dust. Farmers are getting relief from their tiring season of plantations and weddings. Schools, colleges, factories and offices remain close. Fair and pleasant weather, ripening and rustling crops, busy roads and paths, crowded shops, speedy renovations and cleanliness of roads, temples, taps, etc., and decorations all indicate the arrival of the greatest festival.
Dashain celebrates the inevitable victory of virtune over vice, of truth over untruth and of justice over injustice. The goddess Durga known as the goddess of victory is worshipped with great devotion, during the first nine days called Nawa Durga. People swarm to the well-maintained temples of the Goddess Durga. They make sacrifices of goats, buffalos, etc. The Chandi, a story of victory achieved by deities over devils in Satya Yugy, is recited for sacredness and sanctity. It is believed that in Treta Yuga, Lord Rama had secured victory after performing puga to Goddess Durga. The tenth day known as Vijayadashami is the main day of the vacation festival. On this day, people receive red tika, jamara and blessings from their seniors. Rato tika is the symbol of both fortune and victory in Hindu culture.
Dashain is also the time of family gatherings and feasts people forget their differences and misunderstandings and visit their relatives. Those away from their home or country return during the time people wear new clothes, eat sels, beaten rice, meat chocolates and spice. For very poor people it is the rare occasion of good and delicious food. Traditional swing such as the bamboo supported Linge pings are very popular. Nepali lifestyle is highly reflected by this festival. Malshree songs are played. Media such as radio, TV and Newspaper broadcast or publish wishes and greetings both their own and the sponsored ones. There is gun firing accompanied by flower showering at Tundikhel in Kathmandu. It’s tradition for commoners to receive tika from the state head of the country.
Many people celebrate the festival with grate pomp and shows. Celebration are often extravagant. Widespread drinking and gambling often lead to quarrels and fights. For poor people Dashain is rather a curse it is very difficult for them to afford for the traditional celebrations. Many are left bankrupt due to their extravagance. The sacrifices offered to the goddess is very terrific people fall victim to indigestion , food poisoning and accidents. Before Dashain there are a lot of crimes such as pick pocketing, robbery, and loots. Market price often tend to rise before and on the eve of the festival. Such evil aspects of Dashain need to be curbed or discarded.