Dashain festival in Nepal in 2024 starts on October 03. As most Hindu people celebrate the major festival, you will get an impressive chance to experience this unique yet enjoyable festival in Nepal. It is the longest festival celebrated in the country. Honoring Goddess Durga, this festival brings people together to exchange gifts and share blessings. It is celebrated for 15 long days, starting from the lunar night of Ahswin to Poornima. Out of all those 15 days, the first, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, and fifteenth have more significance.
Falling in September or October, traveling to Nepal during this festival also offers you a greater chance to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Nepal. No matter which place of Nepal you explore, you will get festive vibes in every corner during Dashain. This auspicious festival season celebrates the victory of good over evil, and over all those 15 days, Goddess Durga is worshiped. Want to learn more about this festival? Let’s delve in together.
Table of Contents
When Is the Dashain Festival in Nepal in 2024?
- Ashoj 17 ( October 03) is the first day of Dashain, Ghatasthapana when people keep Jamara.
- Ashoj 24 (October 10), the seventh day, Fulpati, when people sacrifice goats.
- Ashoj 26 (October 13), the 10th day, Vijay Dashami, when people put on tika.
- Kartik 01 (October 17), the last day of the Dashain Festival, Kojagrat Poornima.
Why Dashan Is Celebrated In Nepal? Its History
In Hindu Scriptures, Dashains marks the victory of good over evil. It all started when Mahishasura was given a boon by Bramha to never get killed by any god or man. After that, he started to get controlling and began terrorizing Develoka, the world of god. Although the god started to fight against him, no one could defeat him.
They knew only women could kill him, but there was no powerful woman so far to do it. Then, Bramha, Vishnu, and Shiva created Goddess Durga, Mahadevi. She then fought for her life for continuous 9 days. On the 10th day, she killed him with her Chakra, returning heaven to god. Since then, the Dashain has been celebrated, marking the greatest victory of good over evil.
This celebration also marks another victory in History. In Puranas, God Ram defected Rawan, the evil king of Lanka. The war began after Rawan took Sita, Ram’s wife. People also believe Lord Ram triumphed over Rawan only when the goddess Durga was evoked. Overall, the Dashain festival in Nepal shows victory, unity, and happiness.
Importance of Dashain
- Dashain is celebrated after Goddess Durga defeats Mahishasura, symbolizing the victory of good over evil.
- One of the major festivals of Nepal is also the Longest ritual that people do. They worship Goddess Durga during Dashain for prosperity and happiness.
- It brings families together, and people celebrate it with tika and receive blessings from elders while sharing meals and laughter, making wonderful memories.
- People clean their homes and decorate them to create a welcoming atmosphere for Goddess Durga, symbolizing the removal of negativity and the renewal of life.
- Indirectly, Dashain also boosts the country’s economy as the demand for goods increases. Places use transportation and even purchase gifts for their relatives, increasing the country’s overall sales.
Celebrating Dashain Festival
Dashain is celebrated with utmost happiness and joy. As this long festival approaches, people start cleaning their houses. They decorate their homes with beautiful flowers and make them colorful, creating a welcoming atmosphere for Goddess Durga. During the first day of Ghatasthapana, people keep Jamara and Durga in their houses. For 10 days, people have worshipped Goddess Durga continuously.
On the 7th day, people sacrifice a goat to Durga. As the major day, Dashami, approaches, people start to get together with their families. On the 10th day, they put on a tika from their elders and seek blessings. People cook a variety of cuisines and sit together laughing and sharing it. Also, children fly kites and play Linge Ping to enhance their Dashain experience. With continuous laughter, love, and celebration, people finally say goodbye to this best festival in Nepal after 15 days of total celebration.
Some Activities You Can Take Part During Dashain Festival in Nepal
During Dashain, there are several activities you can take participation in:
- Worship and Tika Ceremony
- Kite Flying
- Swinging on Linge Ping
- Animal Sacrifice
- Feasts and Family Gatherings
- Shopping and Buying New Clothes
- Card Games
Special Dishes During The Dashain Festivals
As this festival is celebrated with people gathering together and trying our different feasts, you can try delicious and traditional dishes during this time. Wondering what are the major dishes you get during Dashain? Here is the list:
- Sel Roti: Made with rice flour, sugar, and ghee. Deep fried in oil.
- Khasi ko Masu: Made with goat meat and cooked using different flavors.
- Alu Tama: Made from black-eyed peas and bamboo shoots flavored with various species.
- Bara: Street food made with lentils, a type of crispy savory pancake.
- Yomari: Traditional Newari dumplings made from rice flour. It is filled with molasses, sesame seeds, or grated coconut.
- Gajar ko Halwa: Made from grated carrots, milk, sugar, and ghee. Cooked with milk.
What Are The 15 Days of Dashain?
| Days | Nepali Names | Symbolism |
| 1st Day | Ghatasthapana | The sowing of barley seeds symbolizes the start of Dashain and the worship of Durga. |
| 2nd Day | Dwijapanti | Daily rituals and prayers to Goddess Durga for protection and blessings. |
| 3rd Day | Tritiya | The continuation of Durga’s worship with offerings and rituals. |
| 4th Day | Chaturthi | Worship of Durga in her fierce form, aiming for the destruction of evil. |
| 5th Day | Panchami | Special prayers and offerings to various goddesses for protection and prosperity. |
| 6th Day | Shashthi | The summoning of Goddess Durga and the beginning of the main celebrations. |
| 7th Day | Phulpati | A ceremonial parade where flowers and holy items are brought to the royal palace. |
| 8th Day | Maha Ashtami | Animal sacrifices are offered to Goddess Durga for her fierce form, Kali. |
| 9th Day | Maha Navami | The day for worshiping tools, vehicles, and machinery symbolizes protection from evil. |
| 10th Day | Vijaya Dashami | Tika and Jamara are received from elders, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. |
| 11th Day | Ekadashi | Continued blessings with Tika and jamara from extended family members. |
| 12th Day | Dwadashi | Family gatherings and blessings with tika continue, focusing on strengthening family ties. |
| 13th Day | Trayodashi | Further tika and jamara ceremonies, with emphasis on spreading peace and prosperity. |
| 14th Day | Chaturdashi | The last day of receiving tika and blessings marks the closing of the festival. |
| 15th Day | Kojagrat Poornima | Final rituals and prayers include worship of Goddess Laxmi for wealth and prosperity. |
Is Dashain the Perfect Time To Explore Nepal?
Yes, Dashain is the perfect time to visit Nepal. Dashain Falls is in autumn and is the ideal time to visit Nepal. Exploring the beautiful country during this festive season can offer you religious significance and natural beauty. The skies are clear with mild temperatures and stable weather, thus making your visit in this season worth exploring. You will get a chance to witness beautiful mountain views.
Not only is this time perfect for the lower region of Nepal, but you can also opt to trek toward the Himalayas during the festival. You can either fully immerse yourself in this religious and most important festival or trek to some places in Nepal and celebrate it with the locals. Offering the best chance to see the natural beauty and a perfect time to immerse yourself in local traditions, this can be the ideal time of the year for you to experience the natural beauty of Nepal.
Some Popular Destinations You Can Visit During Dashain
What places in Nepal would be perfect for you to visit during Dashain? Here are the top 10 destinations you can stop by if you plan to visit Nepal for your vacation during this festive season.
- Kathmandu Valley
- Pokhara
- Chitwan
- Everest Base Camp Trek
- Annapurna Circuit Trek
- Langtang Valley Trek
- Lumbini
- Mustang
- Rara Lake Trek
- Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek
Conclusion
Dashain is the major festival celebrated in Nepal for 15 days. Marking the victory of good over evil, the festival represents a prosperous life and continuous happiness. If you are exploring Nepal during Dashain, you will indulge yourself in the festival atmosphere and have the perfect weather to explore Nepal, along with rich scenic natural beauty. As per our suggestion, Dashain can be the perfect season for you if you are planning to experience Nepal’s cultural and natural beauty.
FAQs
Which day is Dashain-tika 2024?
The Dashain Tika in 2024 falls on Ashoj 26 (October 13). This marks one of the most important days of the Dashain celebration when older people put a Red tika with Jamara on their younger, blessing them. On this particular day, you will see people getting together and celebrating it with happiness.
How long is Dashain celebrated?
As the longest festival in Nepal, Dashain is celebrated for about 15 days. It starts from Ghatasthapana, the lunar night of Ahswin, to Kojagrat Poornima. Each day holds different rituals, but the main celebrations are from the 7th to the 10th day. Throughout this period, you will experience a joyful atmosphere.
What is the main festival of Nepal?
The main festival of Nepal is Dashain. All the Hindus across the country celebrate it by getting together with their family and worshiping Goddess Durga, signifying its religious value. No matter which part of the country you are in, you will notice the festive mood everywhere during Dashain.
Do Buddhists celebrate Dashain?
Yes, Buddhists also celebrate this major festival of Nepal, especially those from ethnic groups like the Newars. While the religious significance may differ, they participate in family gatherings and festivities. Hindus majorly celebrate this, and some Buddhist people also take part in celebrating this major festival.
Do Christians celebrate Dashain?
Some Christians in Nepal may participate in Dashain’s cultural aspects, but they generally do not celebrate it religiously. They might join family gatherings and enjoy the festive spirit. You will notice that religious observance varies among different communities.
Is Dashain a culture?
Dashain is a culture representing traditions, values, and social bonding that have been passed down for generations. You will witness this deep cultural significance throughout Nepal during Dashain. Not just celebrated as a festival, Dashain in Nepal is also significant to the Hindu community.
Who puts tika on Dashain?
Elder ones mainly put dashain tika to their younger family members. They offer their blessing for the happy and prosperous life of their generation. Celebrated on the 10th day, families perform this ritual in almost every household.
Can I visit Nepal during Dashain?
Yes, you can visit Nepal during Dashain and experience the most vibrant festival in the country. You will get a chance to see cultural celebrations, family gatherings, and traditional rituals. However, you must be prepared for some businesses and services to be closed due to the holidays.
