Dashain And Tihar Festival in Nepal

Dashain and Tihar are one of the most popular festivals in Nepal. Nepal is a country rich in culture and traditions. The diversity of festivals and times that Hindu people celebrate brings their importance. The main festivals of Hindus people are Dashain and Tihar, which they decide to celebrate with their families, close friends, and relatives.

Dashain: A Vibrant Festival of Nepalese:

Dashain is the main festival for Nepalese people because it is a time for family gatherings, celebrations, and worship of important cultures and traditions. Dashain is one of the most popular festivals in Nepal. Dashain always falls in September or October and lasts for 15 days. Dashain is more than just an ideal festival. It brings people in Nepal and worldwide together, creating a logic of unity. Dashain importance has developed, particularly during times when people feel more divided. However, besides the Hindus in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh also celebrate the Dashain festival.

Culture and Religions of Value of Dashain:

Dashai is one of the Nepalese biggest festivals, it is genuinely connected to the local culture and religion. It celebrates the conquest of good over malicious and brings people together to appreciate lifetime dedication. During the festival, people discover the temples and accomplish rituals to integrity a generous god who helps keep them and increase society. It’s also a time for Nepali to consider the mystical part of life. At the end of the festival, elders place a tika on the younger ones' foreheads, recapping them to admire their elders and keep the traditions of Dashain alive. Dashain gets people gathering, breaking down variances in social prestige, money, or caste, and promoting unity in communities.

Most important of Dashain festivals:

Mostly in Nepal, which is the Hindu religion, they celebrated the Dashain festival for fifteen days and the tenth is the most important. Here are the most imperative days of the Dashain Festivals.

Ghatasthapana:

The 1st day of Dashain begins with the ritual of planting the seeds of Jamara (barley, corn, rice) on a banana leaf filled with mud. After ten days, the sprouts of these seeds are used as Jamara on the day of Vijaya Dashami.

Phoolpati:

Phoolpati is one of the most important days of Dahsain. On this day, nine types of flowers and their leaves are accessible to the sprouts as a sign of respect. It is also believed that the nine flowers welcome the separate goddesses associated with them. Typically, this ritual is started after the army holds a special parade at Tudikhel.  

Mahaastami:

The Mahaastami is the day of sacrifice and is a necessary part of Dashain celebrations. People sacrifice animals such as goats, ducks, and buffaloes as an honor to kali, a severe form of Nwadurga. The demolisher of evil forces, Kali is known as the godly protector.

Maha Navami:

This is the final day before the Vijaya Dashami. Maha Nawami day starts with worshiping the machines and gears you use in your lifetime. In the rural area, where farming is still at its prime, people worship their traditional Halo (plow machine). In city areas, people worship their vehicles and pray for safety and security.   

Bijaya Dashami:

Today is the last day of Dashain and the most important day. The elders put tika (a mixture of vermillion, curd, and rice) on the foreheads of younger family members and bless them. The Jamara from Fulpati is also placed on their head. Elders also handed them some gifts of money, called Dakshina. The tika ceremony continues until the full moon day.

How to celebrate the Dashain festival in Nepal?

Dashain celebrations include numerous cultures and traditions. Here are some tips for people who celebrate the Dashain festival in Nepal.

I. Family Gatherings

During the Dashain festival, family members come together, often traveling long distances to enjoy the festival with their loved ones. It's a time for closeness, and particularly for those working away.

II. Tika and Jamara

Elders bless the young by putting the Tika, a mixture of yogurt, rice, and vermillion, and placing Jamara (barley, rice, corn) on their young people's foreheads as a blessing and good luck.

III. Music and Dance Program

In particular, people celebrate with music and typical dances as well as singing. It's time to show cultural dances, expression and entertainment. You can see the cultural dances and hear the Dashain festival tunes during the Nepal Dashain.  

IV. Swings

Swings are set in public places, and kids and adults can enjoy them. These swings are often in remote areas made of wood or bamboo and ropes. In cities, there are modern swings diverse from traditional.

V. Delicious foods

During the Dashain festival times, you can enjoy delicious Nepali foods such as Sel roti, buff meats, mutton, chicken curry, Tarkari, and puri roti with any kind of drinks like Fanta, coke, Sprite as well traditional alcohol.  

Tihar – A festival of lights

Tihar is another delightful and incredible festival for the Hindu religions which is the 2nd greatest festival for Nepalese, after Dashain, it is called the festival of the lights. The cities and the surroundings are clean and magnificent with the smell and presence of the marigold flowers during the festival.

The Tihar festival always falls in October or November, celebrated for five days of worshiping diverse animals. Here are the important days of the Tihar Festivals.

• Kaag Tihar ( Crow Day)
• Kukur Tihar ( Dog Day)
• Gai Tihar and Laxmi Puja  ( Cow and Goddess of wealth Day)
• Goru Tihar (Ox Day)
• Bhai Tika ( Brother and Sister Day)

Today is the last day known as Bhaitika which means and carries the best reputation for the love and concern between sisters and Brothers?

The sisters put the colors of Tika on the brother's forehead and were blessed for their longer life and improvement. The Tihar festivals always bring delight and enjoyment and a cheerful mood in families and friends, playing which is called Desui Bhailo Program and trekking the greatest to welcome goddess Laxmi, who is believed to bring happiness and wealth in the life of every step.

Popular Holidays destination in Nepal during the Dashain and Tihar:

During the Dashain and Tihar, many travelers visit diverse parts of Nepal to observe and participate in the majestic celebrations. In Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, and Pokhara come alive with cultural occasions, music, and attractively decorated streets. It's an outstanding chance to experience the enthusiasm of Nepalese culture.  

For those looking to dip themselves in the loveliness and culture of Dashain and Tihar, we recommend some of the following traveler's destinations.

Kathmandu City:

The Kathmandu Valley is a UNESCO world heritage site. It's a tapestry of history, culture, and religiousness that signs travelers from around the world. If you want to visit Kathmandu valley during the Dashain and Tihar, you get experience and enjoy the culture.

During your travels to the Kathmandu Valley World Heritage sites, you'll witness Nepal's exciting local culture and traditions. From a cultural, spiritual, and architectural view, we suggest you explore the Monkey Temple, Buddhanath Stupa, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, Patan Durbar Square, and Bhaktapur Durbar Square, etc.

Conclusion:

Dashain and Tihar are one of the main festivals in Nepal. The Dashain falls in late September or early October. In Dashain, families come to gather and celebrate. Dashain features eating, ceremonials, and traditional games. The Tihar falls in October or early November and is a well-known festival of lights. Tihar has various festivals such as Kaag Tihar, Kukur Tihar, Gai Tihar and Laxmi Puja, Goru Tihar, and Bhai Tika, which makes it more fun.