Dashain (दशैं) is the biggest, longest, and most important festival in Nepal. Celebrated by Hindus across the country — and by Nepalese communities around the world — it lasts 15 days and typically falls in late September or October, beginning on the bright lunar fortnight of the Hindu month of Ashwin.
For Nepalese families, Dashain is more than a religious event. It’s the one time of year when everyone — children working in cities, relatives living abroad, grandparents in villages — comes home. It is a festival of reunion, forgiveness, and the triumph of good over evil.
What Dashain Celebrates
Dashain honors Durga, the Hindu goddess of power and victory. According to Hindu mythology, Durga fought the demon Mahishasura for nine days and finally killed him on the tenth. The festival reenacts this victory.
The myth matters because Dashain is fundamentally about the defeat of evil by good — a theme that resonates across generations. It’s also, on a practical level, a celebration of the harvest, since it falls right after the monsoon when crops are ready.
The 15 Days of Dashain
While the biggest celebrations happen on the last five days, the full festival spans two weeks. The most important days are:
Day 1 — Ghatasthapana
The festival begins with Ghatasthapana, when families plant jamara — barley seeds sown in a dark room on a bed of sand. Over the following days, the seeds sprout into pale yellow shoots that are used on Vijaya Dashami.
Day 7 — Fulpati
On the seventh day, the Fulpati ceremony brings sacred flowers and plants from Gorkha to Kathmandu, where they are received by the President and the royal priest.
Day 8 — Maha Ashtami
Also called Kalratri (“dark night”), this is the day of goddess worship. In Kathmandu, thousands gather at the Guheshwari Temple for sacrifices. In villages, buffalo and goats are sacrificed to Durga.
Day 9 — Maha Navami
Maha Navami is the biggest day for animal sacrifice. Families offer buffalo, goats, ducks, and roosters to the goddess. In Kathmandu, the Taleju Temple opens its doors only on this day, and thousands line up for darshan. Vishwakarma (the god of craftsmen) is also worshipped, and tools, vehicles, and machines are blessed.
Day 10 — Vijaya Dashami
The most important day. Vijaya Dashami is when elders apply tika (a mixture of rice, yogurt, and vermilion) to the foreheads of younger family members and give them jamara (the sprouted barley). Blessings are exchanged, and families travel to visit relatives they haven’t seen all year.
Day 15 — Kojagrat Purnima
The festival ends on the full moon day with Kojagrat Purnima, when the goddess Laxmi is worshipped.
How Nepalese Families Celebrate
Dashain is a family festival first and a religious one second. The typical rhythm is:
- Kite flying: In cities, especially Kathmandu, rooftops fill with children and adults flying kites. The sky becomes a battlefield of strings. Kites are symbolic of letting go of worries and welcoming joy.
- Bamboo swings: In villages and neighborhoods, tall bamboo swings (called ping) are built. Swinging high is believed to help “leave the ground behind” and rise above earthly troubles.
- New clothes: Everyone gets new clothes, especially children.
- Feasts: Families cook large meals — goat curry, sel roti (rice doughnuts), mutton, and sweets.
- Card games: Playing cards with family is a traditional way to pass the long afternoons.
- Visiting relatives: The tika ritual requires visiting elders, which means traveling from house to house over several days.
Regional Variations
While Dashain is celebrated nationwide, there are regional differences:
- Kathmandu Valley: The Newar community celebrates with their own rituals, including the Mohanee procession and masked dances.
- Terai: In the southern plains, Dashain is celebrated alongside Chhath, another major festival.
- Himalayan regions: Sherpa and Tibetan communities often blend Dashain with local Buddhist traditions.
Dashain and Modern Nepal
Today, Dashain is both a religious festival and a national holiday. Schools, offices, and businesses close for up to two weeks. Millions of Nepalese who work abroad — especially in the Gulf, Malaysia, and India — return home for the festival, causing massive crowds at airports and bus stations.
The economic impact is significant: retail sales spike, tourism increases, and the travel industry peaks. At the same time, there is a growing debate about animal sacrifice, with some urban families replacing it with symbolic offerings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dashain?
Dashain is Nepal’s biggest Hindu festival, lasting 15 days. It celebrates the victory of the goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura and is marked by family gatherings, tika, feasts, and kite flying.
When is Dashain celebrated?
Dashain falls in late September or October each year, starting on the bright lunar fortnight of the Hindu month of Ashwin. It usually coincides with the end of the monsoon and the harvest season.
Why is Dashain important in Nepal?
It’s the longest and most important festival in Nepal, bringing families together and marking the triumph of good over evil. It’s also a public holiday that affects schools, businesses, and travel across the country.
What is tika in Dashain?
Tika is a mixture of rice, yogurt, and vermilion applied to the forehead by elders as a blessing. It’s given along with jamara (sprouted barley) on Vijaya Dashami, the tenth day.
Read next: Tihar: The Festival of Lights — Five days of lights, sweets, and honoring animals and siblings.
Related districts: Kathmandu, Gorkha, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Chitwan
