Dashain - Nepali

I am Dashain, the longest and most important festival for Nepali Hindus. My observance stretches across 15 days, making me a special time for families to gather and celebrate. The central idea that I represent is a powerful one: the victory of good over evil. This theme of triumph is woven into every part of my traditions. My very name points to this idea of winning. My tenth and most significant day is known as Vijaya Dashami. In the Nepali language, this name translates to 'the 10th day of victory,' which is the high point of all my celebrations.

My celebration is rooted in stories of triumph that come from Hindu traditions. People honor two great tales of victory when they observe me. One of these stories is about the powerful goddess Durga. According to the tradition, she bravely fought a fierce buffalo demon named Mahishasura for nine long nights. On the tenth day, her strength and goodness prevailed, and she defeated him. Her victory is a key reason for my existence.

Another important story that people remember during my observance comes from the epic poem, the Ramayana. This tale describes the victory of the god Rama over the formidable, ten-headed demon king Ravana. Just like the story of Durga, this narrative highlights how righteousness and goodness will always win against darkness and evil. These two stories form the spiritual heart of my celebration, reminding everyone of the power of good.

People welcome me during the autumn season, a beautiful time of year in Nepal. My celebrations usually take place in September or October. My exact dates change from year to year because they are determined by the Bikram Sambat, which is a lunar calendar used in Nepal. My arrival is seen as a happy and welcome time for another reason, too. It comes after the busy season of harvesting crops is complete. The monsoon rains have ended, and the weather becomes clear, cool, and pleasant, creating a perfect atmosphere for celebration and family get-togethers.

My first nine days and nights are known together as Navaratri, a name that means 'nine nights'. The celebrations begin on the first day, which is called Ghatasthapana. On this day, families perform a special ceremony. They take a pot, fill it with soil, and plant barley seeds. They care for this pot, and over the next several days, the seeds sprout into long, green and yellow shoots. These sacred sprouts are called 'jamara' and play an important role later in my celebration. Each of the nine nights of Navaratri is dedicated to worshipping a different form, or aspect, of the goddess Durga, honoring her power and story.

After the nine nights of Navaratri, my tenth day arrives. This day, Vijaya Dashami, is the most important day of all. It is a time when families gather to show respect and love for one another. A central tradition is the giving of a special blessing called a 'tika'. Elders in the family prepare a mixture of rice, yogurt, and a vibrant red powder. They then place a dot of this mixture on the foreheads of the younger members of the family. Along with the tika, elders give them some of the sacred jamara sprouts that have been growing since the first day. Often, they also give a small gift of money, which is called 'dakshina,' as a token of their blessing and good wishes.

Today, people continue to celebrate me with great joy and enthusiasm, keeping many traditions alive. The festival is a time for communities to come together. One of the most visible traditions is the flying of colorful kites. People gather on their rooftops to fly kites, and it is believed that this sends a message to the gods, asking them to stop the monsoon rains for the year. Another exciting tradition is the building of tall bamboo swings called 'pings' in towns and villages. People of all ages line up to take turns on these swings. My celebration is also a time for wearing new clothes, sharing delicious feasts of special foods, and, most importantly, strengthening the bonds between family members who may travel long distances to be together.