Dashain is the greatest and the most auspicious festival of Nepal. The festival is known as ‘Mahani’ The fifteen days of celebration occurs during the bright lunar fortnight ending on the day of the full moon. Thorough out the kingdom of Nepal the goddess Durga in all her manifestations are worshiped with innumerable pujas, abundant offerings and thousands of animal sacrifices for the ritual holy bathing and to ensure the devotees’ progress and prosperity.
The festival is celebrated with great rejoice, and goddess Durga is worshiped throughout the kingdom as the divine mother goddess to celebrate her victory over evil. During Dashain all factories, vehicles, any machinery instruments and anything from which we make a living are worshiped and also sacrifice them to get the blessing from goddess Durga for protection for all machinery and their occupants against accidents during the year.
People buy new clothes for the festival and exchange gifts. Children and women enjoys with swings called ‘Ping’. The sky seems colorful with beautiful kites.
The first nine days of Dashain are called ‘Nawa ratri’ when tantric rites are conducted. In Nepal the life force is embodied in the divine energy and power of the female, depicted as goddess Durga in her many forms. All goddess who emanated from goddess Durga are known as devis, each with different aspects and powers.
In Patan during these nine days a traditional mask dance called ‘Gan Pyakhan’ is performed from Nabahi to Mangal bazzar (Patan Durbar square). On the ninth day, early morning ‘Payo’ one of newari tradition comes out from Mulchwok (it was stopped years before because of limit budget). More other traditional and cultural activity performs in different places during Dashain.
The first day of Dashain is called Ghatasthapana, which literally means pot establishing and also called ‘Nalisanu’ in Newar community.
On the day barley, maize and another seeds are sown on rectangular bed of sand and it is sprinkled with holy water every day, and are shielded from direct sunlight. By the tenth day, the sown seeds grows to a grass called ‘ Nalin-swan’ or ‘Jamara’.
The 7th day is called Fulpati, it’s a day to bring necessary items like sugarcane, banana stalks, red clothes for garland etc for Dashain celebration. “On this day the Jamara to be used by the royal household is brought from their ancestral royal house in Gorkha. The fulpati, i.e. the procession bearing the jamara and other items necessary for the tika, is brought from Gorkha after a three day walk and most of the government officials are eagerly waiting for the fulpati parade to arrive at Rani Phokari in the afternoon. Rani Phokari area is filled with hundreds of government officials meticulously attired in the traditional formal dress.
In fulpati, the royal kalash filled with holy water, banana stalks, jamara and sugar cane tied with red cloth is carried by Brahmans from the ancestral royal house on a decorated palanquin under a gold tipped and embroidered umbrella, led by the military platoon of the royal priest.
The government officials also join the fulpati parade. Whilst the fulpati parade is heading towards the old royal palace, His Majesty the King observes the ceremonies taking place in Tundikhel, the army parade ground in the center of the city. There a majestic display of the Royal Nepalese Army is held. Guns are fired and the entire valley echoes with the resonance sound of it. The firing continues for ten to fifteen minutes to honour the fulpati. By the time the function ends the royal fulpati is already taken inside the Dashain ghar in Hanuman Dhoka Palace. With this the Dashain feasting starts.”
The eighth day is called the 'Maha Asthami' The fervour of worship and sacrifice to Durga and Kali increases. Sacrifices are held in almost every house through out the day. The night of the eighth day is called 'Kal Ratri', the dark night. “In the darkness of the night Durga temples, army barracks, and old palaces all over Nepal hold sacrifices for the mother goddess. The sacrifice continues till dawn. The old palace in Basantapur Hanuman Dhoka, is active throughout the night with worships in almost every courtyard. While the puja is being carried out great feasts are held in the homes of common people where large amount of meat are consumed.”
On this day Newar people called ‘Chhwelabu’ keeps all equipments, instruments, books together for worship and keeps oil lamps for ‘Mahni Sina’ (black smoke Tika) all these should not be removed from place till ‘Dashami. Finally family gathers for feast called ‘Kuchhi-Bhwe’ served on banana leaf.
The ninth day is called 'Nawami'. Early morning people worship all temples and things placed on 'Maha Asthami'. For Newar this is the main day of festival. Varieties of foods are prepare and gather for evening feast called ‘Sikabu’ means keeping good relation between brothers. It means if the ‘Sikabu’ feast is broken between brother means broken brotherhood so it is very important event of the festival.
On this day the Taleju temple at Hanuman Dhoka is also opened for the public once a year on this day. Thousands of people go and pay their respect to the goddess day.
On 10th day called 'Dashami' or ‘Chanlan’ in newar. It’s a final day of worshiping and moving equipments, books and instruments whatever was placed on 'Maha Asthami' . From the day people starts take ‘Tika’(vermilion paste) and ‘Jamara’ from elders (for newar important Mahani sina, Bhuyusina/orange color and kokha- red cotton garland)and receive their blessing. The importance of Dashain also lies in the fact that on this day family members from far off and distant relatives come for a visit as well as to receive Tika from the head of the family. On this day people also go to Bajrabarahi temple at Chapagaun to attain fair.
After four days of meeting relatives Dashain ends on the full moon day, the fifteenth day called 'Kojagrata Purnima ' meaning 'who is awake'. On this day the goddess Laxmi is given an invitation to visit each and everyone. After Dashain the nation settles back to normal. After receiving the blessing of goddess Durga, people are ready to work and acquire virtue, power and wealth. Dashain thus is not only the longest festival but also the most anticipated one among all the festivals of Nepal.
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