The famous Festival of Nepal

Dashain

1. Dashain

Among many festivals one among them is Dashain. Dashain is generally celebrated by the Hindus but the people who follow other religions except the Hinduism are also found to be enjoying by celebrating this festival. It is normally celebrated in Ashwin or Kartik.

Dashain is celebrated as the greatest national festival in Nepal. This festival is believed to be the symbol of victory of virtue over sin, according to the mythology. It has been celebrated since Lord Ramchandra got victory over demon king Ravan. It is believed that Ramchandra was able to make Goddess Durga content with him by worshipping her. That's why he was blessed and empowered. Therefore Dashain is viewed to be deeply rooted to antiquity. Dashain is believed to have a historical as well as cultural significance accordingly.

This festival is also called ‘Bada Dashain’. It generally falls in September according to the lunar calendar. It is generally celebrated for 15 days but all the days are not equally important. The tenth day is the most important day. The first day is called ‘Ghatasthapana’. On this day, people sow the seeds of barley, maize, wheat to use the seedlings of these seeds during this festival. The seedlings are called ‘Jamara’. Jamara is like flowers. Building, temples and arms as well are cleaned and purified during this festival. The seventh day is said ‘Phulpati’. On the day and onwards, Goddess ‘Durga’ is especially worshipped. The eighth day and ninth day are called ‘Ashtmai’ and ‘Mahanavami’ respectively. On the days, goats, sheep, he-buffaloes, cocks, ducks etc. are sacrificed and offered to Goddess Durga. The tenth day is known as ‘Vijaya Dashami’. On the day, all the junior family members and relatives get red mark, we call ‘Tika’, on the forehead from their seniors. The juniors are heartily blessed believing Goddess Durga as the witness. They are also offered flowers and Jamara along with red mark. The fifteenth day is called ‘Kojagrata Purnima’. It is the last day.

People enjoy numerous types of foods during this festival. Especially children seem to be very happy because it is highly enjoyable for them. The children are provided with new and attractive clothes. They enjoy various types of games because they get completely leisure time. All the family members get together. All the government offices, schools, colleges and non-government organization as well get closed during this festival. All the relatives, family members and society members as well can share their feelings and experience from which brotherhood, friendship, co-operation etc. get strengthened. In fact, this festival hands over symbolic significance to the human civilization.

2. Tihar/Deepawali

Tihar or Deepawali is one of the famous festival of the Hindus. Tihar falls after Dashain in the end of October. During this festival, birds and animals are worshipped. It is the festival of lights and flowers too. Everything is cleaned properly.

‘Deepawali’ is also called Tihar. It is known as Bhaitika in some places. Thus the terms Deepawali, Tihar and Bhaitika refer to the same festival. This festival is generally celebrated for five days, so it is said Yampanchak. During this festival some animals, birds, gods and goddesses are worshipped. On the first day, crows are worshipped by offering foods to them. On the second day, dogs are worshipped. Similarly, cows are worship on the third day. On the second or third day, Goddess Laxmi is worshipped. She is believed to be the goddess of wealth. People worship the oxen on the forth day. Furthermore, ‘self’ is also worshipped on this day. It is known as Mha Pooja. The fifth day is called ‘Bhaitika’. On this day, sisters offer Tika, variously-coloured marks, on the foreheads of the brothers. They also offer the garlands of flowers on the neck of the brothers. The brothers are also provided with sweets, fruits, and other special food items. In return, brothers offer Tika, gifts and money to their sister. They enjoy delicious foods sitting together. Before the sisters worship their brothers, they worship Yamraj’ the Lord king of death. It is believed that the life span of the brothers gets lengthened when they worship the lord king of death.

As this is the festival of lights and flowers, various kinds of candles, lights and traditional Diyos are lit in order to illuminate the whole building of the people. The flowers blooming in flower gardens beautify the whole environment. Flowers are tremendously used during this festival. The houses are being decorated with flowers and garlands. During this festival, people and children move door to door dancing and chanting some cultural songs which are called Dyousi and Bhailo. These songs are melodiously chanted and sung in groups. This festival strengthens sound relation between brothers and sisters. They can exchange and share their feelings, sorrows and happiness.

3. Holi

Holi is a one of the famous festival of the Hindus and all which are celebrated in mostly in Kathmandu and Terai. Holi is called the festival of colors because colors are enormously used during this festival. It generally celebrated in the month of March. In Nepal, nowadays it is celebrated all over the country.

Holi has its own cultural and religious significance. It is attributed to the story of Prahlad who was a great devotee of God Bishnu but Prahlad’s father hated it. SO that his father tried to kill his son, Prahlad, several times but he could not successes. Once, Prahlad’s father ordered his sister Holika to burn Prahlad to death. Holika took Prahlad in her arms and sat on a burning fire. Holika was blessed that she was not harmed by a fire. But that time blessing did not help her. Holika was killed in the fire but Prahlad was safe from fire. This is story of devotee of God Bishnu. So that Holika stands for destructive evils and Prahlad signifies a true devotee. Holi symbolizes the victory of devotion and virtue over evils.

Holi is celebrated with great joy and enlightenment. People worship gods with new clothes. Boys and girls manage small parties, singing and dancing. Face of people with different colors. They throw colored water on one another friends or relatives. All the participants get wet. Thus, the days of Holi are merry marking. Everyone forgets their sorrows and deserves complete glee and happiness.

This festival seems to be advantageous because people are completely happy. They can build up brotherhood, friendship, love and closeness. This festival helps people remove quarrels, bitterness, enmity, brutality and hatred.