Dashain Festival in 2020

Dashain Festival is one of the most observed Hindu celebration. Hindu follower across the world celebrate this festival superbly. This festival generally falls in the time of September or October and is commended for 10 days. And every single days signifies certain religious purpose. This year, Dashain festival starts from 17 October to 26 October 2020 as per the English calendar.

And according to Nepali calendar, the festival falls from 1 Kartik to 10 Kartik 2077 BS. Hindus most prominent celebration, Dashain respects an incredible triumph of the divine beings over the shrewd evil spirits. In the Nepalese household this festival is celebrated with loved and dear ones. Extended families gather together and feast on the food prepared at the House by the senior ladies of the house. All in all, it is perfect time for families who have not met each other for months to reconnect once again.

Why Dashain festival is celebrated?

Dashain is one of the triumph stories according to the Hindu mythology. It is a victory over an evil spirited demon named “Mahisasur” who spread horror and terror. This demon was killed by the Goddess Durga in a war that lasted for multiple days. The Goddess Durga is worshiped for resonating the power. Her win over the demon also signifies that evil cannot win and it always comes to cease.

The initial 9 days shows the constant battle between bad and temperance. And after the constant battle between vice and virtue for 9 days, goddess Durga finally won the battle over the demon and evil. Besides that grand triumph of Goddess Durga, Dashain also signifies the victory of God Ram over the devil Ravan with the blessing of Goddess Durga.

All in all, it signifies that evil will never win however hard it tries. Truth will always get victory over evil and deceits.

How does people celebrate Dashain for 10 days?

As mentioned earlier Dashain is celebrated for 10 days. Ghatasthapana is the first day of Dashain and it falls on 17^th October 2020. This is first day and every household on this day plant Jamara which is an important element of this festival. They sow maize and grain seeds to grow jamara in a small pot made up of mud.

On the 10^th day, it will grow and ready to use during Tika ceremony. And in between until saptami which translates as 7^th day in Sanskrit is Phulpati, people travel to their hometowns. By Phulpati, almost every member of the family will be gather at their main home. And the eight day is known as Maha Aastami. On this day, people sacrifice their animals such as goat, buffaloes, and hens as an offering to Goddess Kali. And the meat is considered as ‘Parsad’ (sacred food). The evening of the day is considered as Kal Ratri which means dark night.

The ninth day of the festival is called Maha Navami. On this day, people worship their equipment and tools by doing pujas. And last day which is 10^th day is called Vijaya Dashami from which the name Dashain originated. On this all the family gather and take blessing and Tika (a mixture of rice, yoghurt and red color powder) and the jamara (which is planted on the 1^st day) from the senior members of the family.

Why is Dashain such a grand festival to Nepalese?

Dashain is a grand and the favorite festival for all age group of People. This festival lets creates an opportunity to meet their distanced family and relatives who they had not seen or met for a long time.

People working away from their home or country go to their hometown to celebrate the festival with families, friends and relatives. Also, guardians purchase new clothes for their kids. Kids especially love this festival because they get almost a month of holiday, eat delicious foods, meet their cousins, and wear new clothes and most of all they get money which is a form of blessing and gift and known as Dakshina from the elder member of the family. Families gather together and prepare a grand feast and some engage in playing card games. Also, huge bamboo swings are made in the communities to play. People religiously fly kites making sky full of kites and colorful.

When is Dashain Festival in 2020?

This year, the main day of Dashain Festival – Ghatasthapana falls on 17 October, the seventh day Pulpati will be praised on 23 October. Asthami is celebrated on 24 October and Nawami on 25 October and Dashami on 26 October respectively. Furthermore, for 5 additional days till 30 October which is called Kojagrat Purnima, this festival is celebrated. Till Kojagrat Purnima, relative and extended family members visit each other’s house to put Tika and receive blessing from their relatives.

In the event that you are considering sharing on the celebration, Nepal Hiking Team couldn’t want anything more than to invite you during this happy season. You will get the chance to appreciate the boulevards of Kathmandu and see sparkle according to local people under the foundation of dazzling cultural etiquettes of Nepal.