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Dashain or Bada'dashain, also referred as Vijaya Dashami in Sanskrit, is a major Hindu religious festival in Nepal and the Indian states of Sikkim, West Bengal, Assam, South India, and Sri Lanka.[2] It is also celebrated by other religions of Nepal and elsewhere in the world,[3] including among the Lhotshampa of Bhutan[4] and the Burmese Gurkhas of Myanmar. The festival is also referred as Nauratha, derived from the Sanskrit word for the same festival Navaratri which translates to Nine Nights.[5]
Dashain | |
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Official name | बडादसैँ |
Also called | Bijaya Dashami, Nauratha |
Type | Hindu, Sikh, Jain |
Significance | A festival commemorating the victory of good over evil |
Celebrations | Marks the end of Durga Puja |
Observances | Worshipping nine forms of Durga, visiting Shakti Pithas and pandals, organizing plays, visiting relatives, feasts, community gathering, recitation of scriptures, immersion of the idol Durga or burning of Ravana. |
Date | Ashvin or Kartika (September to November) |
2024 date | 3 October 2024, Thursday to 16 October 2024, Wednesday |
It is the longest and the most auspicious festival in the Bikram Sambat and Nepal Sambat annual calendars, celebrated by Nepali Hindus, along with their diaspora throughout the globe. In Nepal, it is also known as the biggest festival in the country and is the longest national/public holiday, lasting 15 days. It is the most anticipated festival in Nepal. People return from all parts of the world and different parts of the country to celebrate together.[3] All government offices, educational institutions, and other offices remain closed during the festival period. The festival falls in September or October, starting from the shukla paksha (bright lunar night) of the month of Ashvin and ending on Purnima, the full moon. Among the fifteen days on which it is celebrated, the most celebrated days are the first, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, and fifteenth.[6] Dashain is the main Hindu festival in Nepal.
Etymology
editThe word Vaḍādaśain̐ (वडादशैँ) is a Nepali sandhi, where "baḍā" (बडा) means "important" and "daśa͠i" (दशैं) means "tenth", implying the most-significant final day of the festival of Durga Puja, celebrating the dawn after the end of Nauratha (nine nights). The word Dashain is ultimately derived from the Sanskrit word daśamī, denoting the 12th day of the Kaula (month) in this context.
Significance
editFor followers of Shaktism, it represents the victory of the goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura, who had terrorised the devas and usurped their abode of Svarga.[7][8][9] The first nine days of Dashain symbolize the battle which took place between the different manifestations of Durga and Mahishasura. The tenth day is the day when Durga finally defeats him. For other Hindus, this festival symbolizes the victory of Rama over Ravana as recounted in the Ramayana. It generally symbolizes the victory of good over evil.
Day 1: Ghatasthapana
editThe day of Ghatasthapana is marked with Jhijhiya folk dance across the Mithila (region) of Madhesh Province as the welcome ceremony of Dashain. Ghaṭasthāpanā (घटस्थापना; "sowing Jamara") marks the beginning of Dashain.[10][11] Literally, it means placing a kalasha or a pot, which symbolizes goddess Durga. Ghaṭasthāpanā falls on the first day of the festival. On this day the Kalash is filled with holy water and is then sewn with barley seeds. Then the Kalash is put in the center of a rectangular sand block. The remaining bed of sand is also seeded with grains. The priest then starts the puja by asking Durga to bless the vessel with her presence. This ritual is performed at a certain auspicious time which is determined by the astrologers.[12] The goddess is believed to reside in the vessel during Navaratri.[13]
The room where all this is done is known as the Dashain Ghar. Traditionally, outsiders are not allowed to enter it. A family member worships the Kalash twice every day, once in the morning and then in the evening. The Kalash is kept away from direct sunlight[14] and holy water is offered to it every day so that by the tenth day of the festival the seed will have grown to five or six inches long yellow grass. This sacred grass is known as jamara. These rituals continue until the seventh day.
Day 7: Phulpati
editPhulpati (फूलपाती) is a major celebration occurring on the seventh day of Dashain. The word Phulpati is made up of two words: phūl meaning flower and pātī meaning leaf.
Traditionally, on this day, the royal Kalash, banana stalks, jamara, and sugar cane tied with red cloth are brought by Magars from Gorkha, a three-day walk, about 169 kilometres (105 miles) away from the Kathmandu Valley. Hundreds of government officials gather together in the Tundikhel grounds in conventional formal dress to witness the event. The king used to observe the ceremony in Tundikhel while the Phulpati parade was headed towards the Hanuman Dhoka royal palace. Then there is a majestic display of the Nepalese Army along with a celebratory firing of weapons that continues for ten to fifteen minutes honoring Phulpati. The Phulpati is taken to the Hanuman Dhoka Royal Palace by the time the occasion ends in Tundikhel, where a parade is held.[15]
Since 2001, when the royal family was overthrown, the two-century-old tradition has changed so that the holy offering of Phulpati goes to the residence of the president. The President has taken over the king's social and religious roles after the end of the monarchy.[16]
In various other cities and towns across Nepal and in India (with a significant Nepali population), a Phulpati procession is carried out. Flowers, fruits, and holy symbols are tied in a red cloth, which is then covered with an auspicious red shawl and carried on a decorated wooden log across the town. The townspeople offer flowers and fruits as the procession passes through their houses.[17][18] The process is also accompanied by traditional Naumati instruments.[19]
Day 8: Maha Asthami
editThe eighth day is called Maha Asthami. This is the day when the most fierce of Goddess Durga's manifestations, the Kali, is appeased through the sacrifice of buffaloes, goats, hens, and ducks in temples throughout the nation. Blood, symbolic of its fertility, is offered to the Goddesses. Appropriately enough, the night of this day is called Kal Ratri (Black Night), after the form of Durga worshipped on this day. It is also the norm for buffaloes to be sacrificed in the courtyards of all the land revenue offices in the country on this day. The old palace in Kathmandu Durbar Square, as well as the presidential palace, is active throughout the night with worship and sacrifices in almost every courtyard.
On midnight of the very day of the Dashain, a total of 54 buffaloes and 54 goats are sacrificed in observance of the rites. After the offering of the blood, the meat is taken home and cooked as "prasad", or food blessed by divinity. This food is offered in tiny leaf plates to the household gods, and then distributed amongst the family. Eating this food is thought to be auspicious. While the puja is being carried out, great feasts are held in the homes of common people. On this day the Newar People has an event called "Khadga Puja" where they do puja of their weapons. It is when they put on tika and get blessings from elders.
Day 9: Maha Navami
editThe ninth day of Dashain is called Maha Navami, "the great ninth day". This is the last day of Navaratri. Ceremonies and rituals reach a peak on this day. On this day, official ritual sacrifices of the Nepal Armed Forces are held in one of the Hanuman Dhoka royal palaces, the Kot courtyard. On this occasion, the state offers the sacrifices of buffaloes as a feu de joie, and a 21-gun salute is fired in the background in the presence of the Army Staff. This day is also known as the demon-hunting day because members of the defeated demon army try to save themselves by hiding in the bodies of animals and fowl.
On Maha Navami, durga, the mother goddess Devi, is worshipped as it is believed that all the things that help us make a living should be kept happy. Artisans, craftsmen, traders, and mechanics worship and offer animal and fowl blood to their tools, equipment, and vehicles. Moreover, since it is believed that worshipping the vehicles on this day avoids accidents for the year all vehicles from bikes, and cars to trucks are worshipped on this day.
The Taleju Temple gates are opened to the general public on only this day of the year. Thousands of devotees go and pay respect to the goddess this day. The temple is filled with devotees all day long.[20]
Day 10: Bijaya Dashami
editThe tenth day of the festival is the 'Bijaya dashami'. On this day, a mixture of rice, yogurt and vermilion is prepared. This preparation is known as "tika". Often Dashain tika time[21] is different each year. Elders put this tika and jamara which is sown in the Ghatasthapana on the forehead of younger relatives to bless them with abundance in the coming years. Red also symbolizes the blood that ties the family and community together.
Elders give "Dakshina", or a small amount of money, to younger relatives at this time along with blessings as they visit. This continues to be observed for five days till the full moon during which period families and relatives visit each other to exchange gifts and greetings. This ritual of taking tika from all the elder relatives (even the distant relatives) helps in the renewal of the community ties greatly. This is one reason why the festival is celebrated with so much vigor and enthusiasm.
Day 11: Papakunsha Ekadashi
editEkadashi is the eleventh day of the lunar fortnight in Hindu calendar. Ekadashi is considered a very auspicious day and people usually fast on this day. The day after Bijaya Dashami is known as Papakunsha Ekadashi (पापकुंश एकादशी). On this day, it is customary to wake up early in the morning and start fasting till evening, after washing and wearing clean clothes. It is also customary to listen to Papakunsha Ekadashi stories and to visit religious sites.[22]
While in some parts of the Nepal, the tika is only received on the day of Bijaya Dashami, in other parts of the country, people start visiting their extended family and relatives on this day till Kojagrat Purnima. One is supposed to eat only Sattvic diet during Ekadashis, but people continue their Dashain feasts on this day too, so this Ekadashi is also known as Gidde Ekadashi (lit. Vulture–like–Ekadashi). By donating gold, sesame, barley, grain, soil, umbrellas, shoes, etc. on this day, it is believed that one will get to heaven after death.[23]
Day 15: Kojagrat Purnima
editThe festival's last day, which lies on the full moon day, is called Kojagrat Purnima (कोजाग्रत पूर्णिमा) or Sharad Purnima. The literal meaning of Kojagrat is 'who is awake'. On this day Goddess Lakshmi who is believed to be the goddess of wealth is worshipped as it is believed that Goddess Laxmi descends on earth and showers whoever is awake all night with wealth and prosperity. People enjoy the night by playing cards and much more.[24]
Animal sacrifices are often the norm during this time, as the festival commemorates the bloody battles between the "divine" and "demonic" powers. The proponents of animal killing interpret this sacrificial act as the symbolic sacrifice of our animal qualities, but those who are opposed to animal sacrifice stress that the sacrificial act is nothing but an excuse to fulfill the appetite for food/meat.[25]
Related traditions
editMusic
editThe Malshree dhoon is incorporated into mainstream Nepalese music as the music of Dashain. It is the tune that announces the Dashain has arrived. Malashree dhoon is one of the oldest surviving devotional music of Newa art form, with its origin in the 17th century.[26] In due time and also the fact that Dashain happens to be celebrated not just by Newars but by all Nepalese, this dhoon caught up and now is part of the national culture and played during Dashain.
Mantra
editWhile putting tika to the younger family members or relatives, the elder people usually recite special Sanskrit mantras as a blessing. There are two main mantras that are recited while putting tika on the Bijaya Dashami day, one for men and one for females.
In the mantra for male members, the qualities of various Hindu mythical heroes (Yudhishthira, Balarama, etc.) as well as antiheroes (Ashwatthama and Duryodhana) are blessed to the person.[27]
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In the mantra for the female members, they are worshipped as various form of goddess Durga.[28]
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Alongside these mantra, other blessings for good health and fortune are also given.
Games and carnivals
editAs Dashain approaches, kite flying becomes more and more common. Riding kites has been a very important part of celebrating Dashain in the country, as it is considered to be one way of reminding God not to send rain anymore.[29] During the festival people of all ages fly kites from their roofs. Colourful kites and voices shouting out 'changā chet' (this phrase is usually used when one cuts the other person's kite string) fill the days during the festival.
Playing cards is another way of celebrating Dashain.[29] While children are busy flying kites during Dashain, the older members of the family pass their time by getting together and playing cards with each other for money and fun.
Bamboo swings are constructed in many parts of the country as a way of celebration. Dashain swings are called 'ping' in Nepali. They present the best of local culture, tradition, community spirit, and fun.[30] These swings are constructed by community members with traditional methods which use ropes made from tough grass, bamboo sticks and wood, etc. The swings are normally constructed a week before Ghatasthapana and dismantled only after the festival of Tihar which comes after Dashain. The height of some swings exceeds twenty feet. People of all ages enjoy the swings. They are especially famous with children.
Fairs and celebrations are organized during the festival. Usually, small fairs are organized in the villages with Ferris wheels for children and other entertainment for adults. However, in the city commercial fairs and celebrations are usually organized.
Shopping
editBuying and wearing new clothes is an important part of the festival. As many people living in the villages are below the poverty line, for them it is often the case that new clothes come only with Dashain.[29] Almost all the shops have festival offers and discounts. This makes shopping more attractive. Clothes have the highest sales during the festival.[20]
Feasts
editThousands of animals including buffalo, ducks, and rams are slaughtered in Dashain every year. It has been considered an important ritual since it is believed that the goddesses are appeased by such sacrifices. Almost all the temples, especially the Durga and Kali temples, are offered with thousands of sacrifices. Ashtami and Navami are the days when the sacrifices reach a peak. While thousands of animals are sacrificed to appease the goddesses, people also slaughter animals for feasts. Since many feasts and gatherings are organized throughout the fifteen days of the festival, the demand for meat goes up considerably. To meet the demand, the slaughtering of animals becomes considerably high and necessary.[31][32]
Dasain abroad
editBhutan
editDashain was declared a national holiday in 1980 in Bhutan.[33] It is celebrated by the Hindu community of Bhutan and is one of the major festival of Lhotshampa origin Bhutanese people. The King of Bhutan offers the Dashain Tika to the representatives of the Hindu Community at the Devi Panchayan Mandir in Thimphu every year. Tika and Royal blessings are sent to other dzongkhags across the country. The king also offers prayers to the goddess Durga at the Hindu temple.[34] They use white Tika.[35][36]
India
editDashain is celebrated by Nepali language speaking communities in Darjeeling, Sikkim and Assam. The Dashain and Tihar festival was given further importance after the Gorkhaland movement. Dashain festival used to have a political agenda and it used to have a cast based distinction. However, it has gradually being celebrated as a collective festival. There used to be white, yellow and red Tika in the past which has now been harmonized to use red Tika by all community.[37] On the other hand, the Nepalese people from Nepal working in India, return en masse during festival causing congestion in border areas.[38]
Myanmar
editMyanmar has about 100,000 Nepali language speaking Burmese population. They celebrate dashain with the same spirit as in Nepal or Northeast India. Animal sacrifices are not done as much as they are in Nepal which is presumably due to the size of nepali population in the country.They offer Tika to ex-King of Burma as a tradition. Almost all traditions of Dashain followed in Nepal are done here as well. Although it is not very common to fly kites as a tradition.[39]
Criticisms
editThe festival of Dashain is often criticized for its animal sacrifice.[40][41][42] Many online petitions have been registered on Change.org, calling for a government action against mass slaughter. Driven by the belief that offerings of fresh blood will appease goddess Durga, scores of animals and birds are ritually slaughtered especially in the eighth and ninth day of the festival.[43] Birds and animals that are traditionally eligible for sacrifice include goats, buffaloes, sheep, chickens, and ducks.[44] Thousands of animals are being traded to sacrifice for meat.[45] Some animal activists have called for the use of pumpkins and coconuts, as opposed to birds and animals.[46]
Numerous national luminaries and animal rights activists alike have expressed their concerns over the issue of animal cruelty in the festival. On 3 October 2016, renowned Nepali comedian Hari Bansha Acharya wrote a satirical piece on Nepal Saptahik – entitled "Euta Khasiko Aatmakatha" (Autobiography of a Goat) – in light of "horrendous" exploitation inflicted upon animals during the festival.[47]
Dashain has also become controversial in Nepal's current political climate as several indigenous groups (adivasi janajati) argue that festival has been imposed on them by the state. In an effort to resist what they view as the cultural domination by the Hindu elites that dominate the Nepali state, several organizations have organized a boycott of Dashain. So far those campaigns have had a limited effect across the country. Yet, Dashain and likewise other cultural celebrations are ingrained in Nepalese lifestyle.[48]
See also
editReferences
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- ^ "Happy Dashain 2075". Lumbini Media. 18 September 2017. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2017.
- ^ a b "Festivals of Nepal: Dashain". Nepal Home Page: Travel Guide. Archived from the original on 11 May 2008. Retrieved 28 June 2008.
- ^ "King of Bhutan Celebrated Dashain with Bhutanese people in Loggchina". 23 October 2015. Archived from the original on 20 June 2018. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
- ^ James G. Lochtefeld 2002, pp. 468–469.
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- ^ "Dashain 2072: When is Dashain in 2015 (2072) : Dashain 2072". Sanjan Media. 25 September 2015. Archived from the original on 31 October 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
- ^ "Ghatasthapana". Riiti.com. Archived from the original on 12 January 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
- ^ "Ghatasthapana for luck and prosperity: Dashain days are here again". My Republica. Archived from the original on 24 September 2017. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
- ^ Karki, Avigya. "Festivals of Nepal: Dashain". Nepalhomepage.com. Archived from the original on 11 May 2008. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
- ^ "Fulpati". Kathmandu Post. Archived from the original on 5 February 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
- ^ "President offers tika". Nepalnews.com.
- ^ "Darjeeling kicks off festival with flower march". www.telegraphindia.com. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
- ^ "दार्जीलिङको पहाडी भेकमा जातीय सांस्कृतिक उत्सवको रुपमा फूलपाती मनाइयो". Dainik Nepal. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
- ^ Samaya, Nepal. "आज फूलपाती भित्र्याइँदै, देशभरका शक्तिपीठमा पूजाआजा गरिँदै". nepalsamaya.com. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
- ^ a b "Days of Dashain". Nepalvista.com. Archived from the original on 27 September 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
- ^ "dashain tika time". Archived from the original on 25 September 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
- ^ "दशैँ टिकाको भोली पल्ट आज पापांकुशा एकादशी: सुन, तिल, जौ, अन्न, भूमी, छाता र जुत्ता दान गर्नाले मृत्युपछि स्वर्गलोक प्राप्त हुने विश्वास". Purbeli News (in Nepali). 27 October 2020. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
- ^ "आज पापांकुशा एकादशी". Rastriya Samachar (in Nepali). 9 October 2019. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
- ^ "आज कोजाग्रत पूर्णिमा, दशैंको समापन गरिँदै". Online Khabar. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
- ^ "September Festivals". Explore Himalaya. 27 September 2009. Archived from the original on 23 September 2009. Retrieved 18 September 2009.
- ^ "Melodious Instruments of Lyrical Nepal". Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
- ^ "दसैंको आर्शिवाद कति अर्थपूर्ण र उपयोगी छ". Online Khabar. Archived from the original on 9 October 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
- ^ "दशैँका आशिष !". Lokpath. Archived from the original on 9 October 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
- ^ a b c "ECS Dasain". ECS.com.np. Archived from the original on 20 October 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
- ^ "To Swing On A Ping". ECS.com.np. Archived from the original on 25 October 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
- ^ "Enjoy Healthy Food This Dashain". My Republica. Archived from the original on 24 September 2017. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
- ^ "Goat for Dashain - The Himalayan Times". The Himalayan Times. 21 September 2017. Archived from the original on 25 September 2017. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
- ^ Hofbauer, H. (1996). "Bhutan". Human Rights in Development Yearbook. 3: 75–115. doi:10.1163/9789004208162_005. ISBN 9789004208162.
- ^ Newspaper, Bhutan's Daily. "His Majesty The King grants Dashain Tika". Kuensel Online. Archived from the original on 17 July 2023. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
- ^ "चार दशकअघि नेपाल आएका शरणार्थीले अझै बिर्सिन सकेका छैनन् भुटानको दशैँ". BBC News नेपाली. Archived from the original on 17 July 2023. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
- ^ Newspaper, Bhutan's Daily. "Her Majesty and HRH Gyalsey Ugyen Wangchuck attend Tika ceremony". Kuensel Online. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ "भारतका नेपाली भाषी: दशैँ भन्दा ठूलो कुनै चाड छैन". BBC News नेपाली. Archived from the original on 17 July 2023. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
- ^ श्रेष्ठ, कुमार (11 September 2019). "कामकाे सिलसिलामा भारत पुगेका नेपाली दशैँ मान्न घर फर्किन थाले". देशसञ्चार. Archived from the original on 17 July 2023. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
- ^ "परदेशिएको दशकौँ पछि म्यानमारका नेपालीले दशैँ मान्ने चलन कसरी कायम राखेका छन्". BBC News नेपाली. Archived from the original on 17 July 2023. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
- ^ Criveller, Gianni. "NEPAL Buddhists and animal rights activists against animal slaughter for Durga - Asia News". Asianews.it. Archived from the original on 16 January 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
- ^ Bibek Bhandari (27 October 2014). "Animal rights activists want Nepal's sacrifice festival stopped | South China Morning Post". Scmp.com. Archived from the original on 16 January 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
- ^ "NFC starts selling goats for Dashain". My Republica. Archived from the original on 23 September 2017. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
- ^ Haviland, Charles (19 October 2007). "Revulsion over Nepal animal slaughter". BBC News. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
- ^ "Dashain festival, Nepal - Occupy for Animals!". Occupyforanimals.net. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
- ^ "Dashain And Climate Change - It's Better to Stop Eating Meat". Wap Nepal. 12 October 2018. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
- ^ "Debating Animal Cruelty During Nepal's Dashain Festival · Global Voices". Globalvoices.org. 21 October 2010. Archived from the original on 16 January 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
- ^ "एउटा खसीको आत्मकथा" [Autobiography of a Goat]. Nepal Saptahik (in Nepali). Kantipur Publications. 3 October 2016. Archived from the original on 6 October 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
- ^ Hangen, Susan (January 2005). "Boycotting Dasain: history, memory and ethnic politics in Nepal". Studies in Nepali History and Society. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
Books
edit- James G. Lochtefeld (2002). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: N-Z. The Rosen Publishing Group. ISBN 0-8239-2287-1.
External links
editMedia related to Dashain at Wikimedia Commons