The biggest festival in Nepal , Vijaya Dashami

 

Nepal, a country of diverse cultural and religious practices makes it one of the most exuberant places in the world. There are people of many religious orientations living in Nepal where Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and many more. This diverse plethora of spiritual practices have their own ceremonies and festivals. However, the major Hindu festival celebrated by the majority of people including the people of other religious practices is Dashain. The people of Nepal celebrate this festival with much enthusiasm. Also known as Vijaya Dashami, this festival lasts for ten days. It falls during the month of September or October after the autumn equinox. In 2021, Vijaya Dashami begins on 7^th October. This festival symbolizes the victory of Goddess Durga over the Demon Mahisaasura. The ten days of this festival are dedicated to different forms of the Goddess. However, in some parts of Northern India, this festival is symbolized as the victory of Lord Rama (an Avatar of Lord Vishnu) against Ravana ( a powerful demon King).

Statue of Goddess Durga

The first day is called Ghatasthapana, where a Ghata or a Kalash( a copper, brass, gold, silver pot )  is established in a house with water and flowers in it. According to the Vedic ritualistic guideline, seven types of grains are sowed in a mixture of clay and cow dung which is kept in shade with the Kalash. Then the sprouted plant is called Jamara and used in various ways. This ritual is significant for the invocation of the Goddess Shakti into one's home.  On this day the form of Goddess Shakti known as Shailaputri is worshipped, where Shailaputri literally translates to the daughter of the Himalayas.

On the second day, the next form of the goddess Bramhacharini is worshipped. Brahmacharini refers to the ascetic form of the goddess and worshipping her is said to increase one’s abstinence, virtues, and reclusion.

On the third day, Goddess Chandraghanta is worshipped. She is depicted with 10 hands with different weapons and a half-moon bell on her forehead. It is believed that she was able to defeat evil with the sound of a half-moon bell.

Tika and Jamara 

On the fourth day, Goddess Kushmanda is worshipped with a Kubhindo (Ash Gourd). She is depicted with eight hands, carrying various items like a bow, an arrow, a lotus, a Kalash (pot) full of Amrit (nectar), a chakra (wheel), a Gada (mace), and a pot filled with blood. She is believed to have created the universe with her smile. 

The fifth day is dedicated to the goddess Skandamata and is portrayed holding her son Skanda (Lord of War) on her lap with two hands and a lotus flower in her other two hands while she rides on a fierce lion. Worshipping her on this day is believed to lead one into pure consciousness.

The sixth day is dedicated to Goddess Katyayani, who is depicted riding a tiger with four hands. On the left two hands are a lotus and a sword however on the right two hands are empty and are in a pose as she is about to bless someone. She is worshipped on this day in order for the attainment of virtues, prosperity, pleasure, and salvation.

The seventh day is called Fulpaati, which literally means flowers and leaves of various plants. In the morning a Kalash with water, Fulpaati is brought into the home from a sacred place with a source of water. However, In Kathmandu, there is a tradition of bringing Fulpaati from the Gorkha Durbar. It must be to signify how the unification of Nepal started from Gorkha, the kingdom of the Shah Monarch. 

The night of this day is called Kaalratri, dedicated to the goddess Mahakali. She is depicted as a dark-toned half-naked goddess with three eyes. She rides a donkey with four hands and the left two hands carry a trident and a rounded sword. On this night devotees stay up all night and doing so will be granted with auspicious results.

The eighth day is called Maha Ashtami and this day is dedicated to goddess Mahagauri with four hands carrying a Damaru and a Trident. Basically, she is depicted wearing a white Saari and riding a white bull. Worshipping her on this day is believed to grant forgiveness and the desires of the devotees. Therefore, in the morning animals like buffaloes, goats, sheep, or chickens are sacrificed in the name of Goddess Durga in a square in front of her temple. The blood is used to consecrate the temple and the meat is taken home as Prasad and consumed by family.

The Ninth day is known as Mahanavami and the form of goddess Durga known as Siddhidhatri is worshipped. She is depicted sitting on a lotus flower with four hands carrying a chakra, lotus, mace, and a shankha (conch shell). She is believed to grant her devotees supernatural powers, therefore in Markandeya Puran, it is stated that even gods, demons, and spirits worship her. However, on this day, people in Nepal sacrifice animals for meat according to their choice. A castrated goat or sheep is preferred by the majority of people in Nepal.

A Bamboo Swing with Annapurna Mountain Range

The tenth day is known as the Vijaya Dashami, which literally translates to the victory tenth. It is believed that goddess Durga slaughtered the demon Mahisasura which signifies the victory of good over evil. This is the most important day of the festival and is celebrated by people with great enthusiasm. On this day, people rest up all their work and gather in order to celebrate this festival. People receive Tika on the forehead, Jamara on the ears, and blessings from the elders of the family.

 A Tika is prepared on the day earlier, where rice grains are mixed in yogurt. A Jamara is the same plant sprouts, which were sowed on the first day of the festival.  After this, the people drink and feast together. After the feast, young and old people gather and play cards and the young and the kids gather to play the swing. The swings are made mostly out of bamboos and ropes however, in some places people use wooden logs also.

This festival is also known as the festival of feast and new clothes. In earlier days when people were economically backward, good clothes and good food were not common. And it was during this festival, people didn’t worry about spending their savings. However, in recent years, the purchasing power of the people has increased as people are indifferent to foreign employments and the economic status of people are somehow lifted, thus the significance of this festival is somehow not as it used to be. Since the Corona crisis, the people have been unable to celebrate the festival the way it used to be. 

However, since lockdown has been lifted and the COVID cases seem to go down, it is expected that the festival will be a grand celebration in 2021. As this festival falls during the high tourist season, most of our staff at Vertex Holiday rarely get to celebrate this festival with their family. However for them, they do celebrate this festival wherever they are, either it is during Tour or Trekking in Nepal. As there is a principle in Vedanta, the highest philosophy in this Hindu culture; we are all a part of a big family.