Dashain: A Joyful Festival in Nepal

Celebrating the Victory of Good

Dashain is the biggest and longest festival for Hindus in Nepal. It usually happens in September or October and lasts for 15 days. The festival is all about celebrating the victory of good over evil. It remembers the story of the goddess Durga defeating the demon Mahishasura. Dashain is a happy time for families to get together and celebrate.

Fun Things We Do During Dashain

Dashain is full of exciting customs and traditions that we enjoy over the 15 days. Here are some of the main things we do:

• Ghatasthapana: This is the very first day of Dashain. We plant barley seeds, which will grow into sacred grass called Jamara. We worship these plants for the next nine days.
• Family Get-Togethers: One of the best parts of Dashain is that families come together. People travel from far away to be with their loved ones.
• Tika and Blessings: On the tenth day, the most important day, younger family members receive Tika on their foreheads from the elders. Tika is a mix of rice, yogurt, and red powder. The elders also give blessings for a good future.
• Flying Kites: You can see many colorful kites in the sky during Dashain. Flying kites is a fun tradition for both kids and adults.
• New Clothes and Great Food: Everyone wears new clothes and enjoys delicious feasts with family and friends.
• Playing on Swings: Big bamboo swings, called 'pings', are built in different neighborhoods. It's a special Dashain treat to swing high in the air.

To learn more, you can check out the Wikipedia page on Dashain.