Festival rituals

Dashain – meaning 10-day festival – celebrated each year from the end September and the beginning of October, marks the biggest festival of the Hindus. It celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over the Demon Mahisasura. The legend goes that Mahishasura had created havoc and terror in the Devalok (heaven). So answering the call of gods, the supreme Goddess Durga appeared and slayed the demon. The first nine days symbolize the fierce battle between Mahishasura and the different manifestations of the Goddess, and the 10th day of Tika commemorates the day of Mahishasura’s slaughter by Goddess Durga.[break]



During the festival, Hindu pilgrims visit various Shakti temples in order to pay homage to the Supreme Goddess of Power, Durga, in her different manifestations. Each day of Dashain holds a unique significance.



Day 1

Also called Ghatasthapana, this day marks the first day of Dashain when a vessel, symbolizing the Goddess of Shakti (Power), is installed in homes and Shakti temples. It is then filled with holy water and covered sideways by cow dung, and seeded with barley grains. Also, a sand block is set up and seeded with barley and other grains. It is kept in darkness and watered for the following nine days.



On the 10th day, the planted seeds grow up to 5 to 6 inches of yellow grasses which are called Jamara. Goddess Shakti is believed to reside in the vessel during the Navaratri and is believed to bequeath good luck if worshipped and pleased properly. This ritual continues for the following six days.







Dipesh Shrestha



Day 7

The seventh day is called Fulpati. This is a major day in Dashain celebrations when a Kalasha wrapped in a red cloth with banana stalks, and sugarcane, is brought in and installed near the Jamaras in the puja ghar. Traditionally, the Kalasha would be brought from Gorkha (the original House of the Shahs) and put inside the Dashain Ghar at Hanuman Dhoka.



Day 8

This day is called Maha Asthami. On this day, Goddess Kali, believed to be the fiercest of Goddess Durga’s manifestations, is worshipped. As she is believed to be a bloodthirsty deity, various sacrifices are offered to her on this day in order to appease her.



Day 9

This day is called Maha Navami. The Taleju Temple at Kathmandu Durbar Square is open to public only on this day of the year. So devotees pay visits to the Goddess Taleju Bhawani. Vishwakarma, the god of creativeness, is specially worshipped on this day. There is also a practice of worshipping vehicles, tools, metal weapons and equipments on this day.



Day 10

The tenth day is called Dashami. On this day, Tika (a mixture of rice, yogurt and vermillion) and Jamara are received from elders. Elders shower blessings and offer Dakhshina (a small amount of money) to their juniors. This practice of receiving Tika and blessing continues for the following five days till the Kojagrata Purnima. On the Purnima (full moon) night, Laxmi, the Goddess of Wealth, is believed to descend on Earth and shower her blessings upon those who remain awake all night and worship her.

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