Photographers: Abishesh Joshi, Balkrishna Lachhimasyu, Dhilung Kirat, Dijup Tuladhar, Manish Shakya, Rina Maharjan and Sabeen Shrestha
Date: 2008/10/05 – 2008/10/11
Caption: RinaM/DhilungK
Report Compiled by: Luna Gurung
Creative Support: DijupT/RinaM

” दशौं आयो खाऊँला पिऊँला चङ्गा उडाउँला पिङ्ग खेलौंला ”

Dashain, brings about the reunion of distant and nearby relatives occur in every household. The market is filled with shoppers seeking new clothing, gifts, luxuries and enormous supplies of temple offering for the gods, as well as foodstuffs for the family feasting. Thousands of sheep, goats, ducks, chicken and water buffalo are prepared for the great slaughter. Anywhere you go the festive mood of ‘Vijaya Dashami’ is found.

The first nine days of Dashain are called Nawa Ratri when tantric rites are conducted. In Nepal the life force is embodied in the divine energy and power of the female, depicted as goddess Durga in her many forms. All goddess who emanated from goddess Durga are known as devis, each with different aspects and powers. During these nine days people pay their homage to the goddess.

The first day of Dashain is called Ghatasthapana, which literally means pot establishing. On this day the kalash, (holy water vessel) symbolizing goddess is placed in the prayer room. The kalash is filled with holy water and covered with cow dung on to which seeds are sown. The room where the kalash is established is called ‘Dashain Ghar‘. The kalash and the sand are sprinkled with holy water everyday and it is shielded from direct sunlight. By the tenth day, the seed will have grown to five or six inches long yellow grass. The sacred yellow grass is called ‘Jamara‘. It is bestowed by the elders atop the heads of those younger to them during the last five days when tika is put on.

As days passes by regular rituals are observed till the seventh day. The seventh day is called ‘Fulpati‘.

In fulpati, the royal kalash filled with holy water, banana stalks, jamara and sugar cane tied with red cloth is carried by Brahmans on a decorated palanquin under a gold tipped and embroidered umbrella. The government officials also join the fulpati parade. With this the Dashain feasting starts.

The eighth day is called the Maha Asthami: The fervour of worship and sacrifice to Durga and Kali increases. On this day many orthodox Hindus will be fasting. The night of the eighth day is called ‘Kal Ratri‘, the dark night. While the puja is being carried out great feasts are held in the homes of common people.

The ninth day is called Nawami: Animals mostly black buffaloes are slaughtered to honour Durga the goddess of victory and might and to seek her blessing. On this very day the god Vishwa Karma, the God of creativity is also worshiped. All factories, vehicles, any machinery instruments and anything from which we make a living are worshiped.

The tenth day is the Dashami: On this day we take tika and jamara from our elders and receive their blessing. This function continues for four days after which Dashain ends on the full moon day, the fifteenth day. The full moon day is also called ‘Kojagrata’ meaning ‘who is awake’.

After Dashain everyone settles back to normal. After receiving the blessing of goddess Durga, people are ready to work and acquire virtue, power and wealth. Dashain thus is not only the longest festival but also the most anticipated one among all the festivals of Nepal.

Vijaya Dashami 2065 was observed as vivacious and joyous festivity throughout “Naya Nepal” this year. Our EU volunteers and contributors went extra miles to capture various moments of this festive season. We have an exclusive report along with photographs taken inside and outside of Kathmandu valley.

01 Managing the people to cross Koshi river to get them home for Dashai	02 People ready to ride a boat after walking 4hr to get home
03 Koshi story..	04 .. ripples last for long
05 Swing in Linge ping	06 Wishing
07 Bharda kali on MahaAsthami	08 Kalash for puja
09 Queue up at Bharda kali	10 Dashami Diyo
11 Dashain Shop	12 Kal Bharab
13 Statue of Hanuman at Hanuman Dokha	14 Narshiha at Hanuman Dokha
15 Mahalaxmi being worshipped on Mahaastami	16 Langur Burja
17 Nyatapola	18 Seasoned Patan
19 Selling flocks	20 Set of Feast
21 MahaAstami Worship – Manakamana Gorkha	22 When is my turn (Manakamana)
23 Taleju, only open at MahaNawami	24 Beyond the boundary
25 The warm up	26 The settings of Kot.
27 The worship begins	28 Ritual process before sacrified (II)
29 54 buffalos and 54 gots are sacrificed during kot praba	30 What is you view on this
31 The sight … .	32 … and the scene
33 Babas enjoying dashain	34 The closing
35 Controllers of the freedom flights	36 You get to touch this Grand Bell only once a year (on MahaNawami)
37 So they are happy to join	38 Worship during Nawami
39 In these years our business is getting down.	40 Dhago chod .. dhago chad
41 Locals visiting Shrine	42 Enjoying the Diyo-Light
43 Local Instruments	44 Dattatraya, Bhaktapur (Constructed by the wood of a single tree)
45 Godddess Bramhayani	46 Sending the message to God Indra to stop rain.
47 Buffalo offered to goddess Bramhayani	48 Akash Bhairab
49 Showing respect to deity I	50 Showing respect to deity II
51 Local instrument at Khadga Jatra	52 Kumari
53 Paya(khadga) Jatra at Dhasami (I)	54 Paya(khadga) Jatra at Dhasami (II)
55 Paya(khadga) Jatra at Dhasami (III)	56 Vindabasini Pokhara
57 Youthful enthusiasm for the culture	58 Subha Vijaya Dashami
59 Taking bath before worship	60 Dashain Swing at Sarankot
61 Looking through the holy bell – Radha Krishna Temple, Pokhara	62 Taal Barahi on Dashami – Pokhara
63 Jamara at Tika	64 Set of Tika thaali
65 The best part of Dashami	66 People busy in Dashain Shopping [Gantok]
67 Dashami Night in Gantok	68 Waitting for Tihar