You may have witnessed the burning of Raavan, a monarch of the Rakshasa clan and the representation of evil in the Hindu religion, during the Dussehra festival. As one of the oldest religions and cultures, Hinduism attaches great importance to this special event. All Hindus around the world celebrate it extensively. The Nepali community, however, celebrates the auspicious event beautifully. The different communities have their distinctive customs.
In the Nepali community, Dussehra is known as Dashain or Vijayadashami. It is the biggest festival not only in Nepal but also for people from the Nepali community living in India and other countries around the globe. Since it is the biggest festival, it is often referred to as “Bada Dashain.” The festival begins on the day of Shukla Paksha, which also heralds Navratri, and lasts for fifteen days. While in other cultures the festival ends on the day of Dussehra, Nepalese continue to celebrate until the day of the full moon. The first, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, and fifteenth days are the most significant of the fifteen days.
The Story of Nepali Dussehra (Dashain)
The festival of Dashain or Vijayadashami commemorates the triumph of good over evil. Maa Durga is said to have killed and defeated the demon Mahishasura on the tenth day of their protracted conflict, which Hindus celebrate with the festival Dussehra. After years of devotion by Mahishasura, Lord Brahma is said to have been satisfied and given the blessing that he cannot be killed by humans or other gods. After the blessing of Brahma, he began to believe that nothing could ever kill him and that he was eternal. He began to torment and anger every living being in the universe and even tried to establish his authority in the realm of the gods known as Devlok.
All the gods turned to the Tridev— Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahadev — for help as they were disturbed by Mahishasura’s brutality. The Tridev combined all their skills to form the Shaktikunj, from which emerged the goddess Maa Durga, the most powerful deity. Maa Durga received the Sudarshan Chakra, the Kamandal, and the Trishul from Lord Mahadev, Lord Brahma, and Lord Vishnu, respectively. She also received a lion from the Himalayas in the form of a vehicle.
The demons, or Asuras, could not understand how a woman could endanger the life of someone like Mahishasura, who had received the blessings of Lord Brahma. They began to make fun of the goddess, which enraged her and caused the conflict to begin. Maa Durga defeated the Asuras clan after a nine-day war and killed Mahishasura on the tenth day, the day when the Dashain or Vijayadashami celebrations began.
How is the Nepali Dussehra (Dashain) celebrated?
On Ghatasthapna, the first day of Navaratra, the Kalash, a representation of Maa Durga, is erected. On the same day, barley seeds are sown in mud and preserved in a tiny container, and they are allowed to germinate until the tenth day. The resulting grass is known as jamara in Nepali.
Nine different manifestations of Maa Durga are worshipped every day throughout the nine days of Navratra in India.
- Maa Shailputri, who was born in the Himalayas, is worshipped on the first day, Ghatasthapna. She gives strength, bravery, and patience to her devotees.
- On the second day, Maa Bhramachaarini is worshipped. She gives salvation to her devotees.
- Maa Chandraghanta is worshipped on the third day of Navratra. Through her, her devoted followers learn awareness and the ability to concentrate.
- The fourth day is dedicated to the worship of Maa Kushmanda. She bestows upon her devotees the capacity for original thinking.
- The fifth day is the day of worship of Maa Skandamaata, the source of all kindness and artistic talent.
- Maa Katyayani and Maa Kaalraatri are worshipped on the sixth and seventh days, respectively.
In the Nepali Hindu community, the seventh day, also known as Saptami, is of particular significance. The occasion is known as Fulpaati. According to tradition, fulpaati is a grouping of nine plants, including rice stalks, banana leaves, turmeric, wood apples, ashokes, ginger, jayantis and manabrikshas, which are brought home to invoke the nine deities associated with the plants. This grouping of nine plants is also known as the Nava Patrika. On this day, a rally known as the Fulpati Shobha Yatra is held.
The eighth day is known as Maha Ashtami, and Maa Gauri is honoured on this day.
On the ninth day, which is known as Maha Navami and signifies the end of Navratra, Maa Siddhiraatri is worshipped.
The tenth day is Dashami, also known as the Day of Tika in the Nepali community. The younger members of the family are blessed by the elders by applying Tika to their foreheads by the latter.
It is believed that the human soul contains both good and evil. It is hoped that Maa Bhawani will give strength to each person on this important day so that they can fight the evil spirits within them. The ingredients for the tika are rice grains, white curd, and red dye (abir).
Blood relatives will always be strong because the colour red (abir) is also a symbol for them. The white colour of curd stands for harmony and prosperity, which should prevail in everyone’s life. Besides the money, or Dakshina, which is also considered a blessing of the elders, the barley grass sown on the first day is also offered as a blessing symbol. The tika can continue until the Purnima, or full moon.
There is a significant custom of kite-flying that takes place during Dashain. The event takes place just after the monsoon, and it is believed that the kites are a sign to Lord Indra that the need for rain is over for the year. In the Hindu religion, Lord Indra is considered the creator of thunder and lightning. A custom known as Lingey Ping involves swinging around while taking part in the celebrations. It is said that when you swing, you reduce the pressure on Mother Earth, thus temporarily relieving her of her burden.
