The Metropolitan Traffic Police Division (MTPD) caught a total of 3,300 people for driving under the influence of alcohol on Friday, the day of Dashain festival.

According to the MTPD, the police imposed a fine of up to NPR 1,000 for each person who breached the rule. A total of NPR 3.30 million was collected in fines for drunken driving on that particular day.

Mostly, the guilty were found to have consumed alcohol on the pretext of festival. The police made them take an hour-long awareness class.

Considering the possibility of accidents due to drunken driving during festivals, the division office had deployed a large number of traffic police personnel from the wee hours of the main day of Dashain.

Every year, the Nepali Government collects a significant amount of revenue through the traffic police.

Last year, the government collected NPR 1.16 billion through cash penalties against those breaking the traffic rules.

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Ambassador Berry celebrated the Dashain festival with his colleagues and their family members.

They exchanged gifts and flied kites on the premises of the Embassy.

“As Bada Dashain already into full-swing, I called my colleagues and his family members and celebrated the festival with much gusto. I would like to wish you all Happy Bada Dashain,” tweeted the ambassador.

Likewise, Ambassador Berry has extended warm wishes to all the Nepalis on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami.

Dashain festival is celebrated with great fervor and joy across Nepal. The festival is observed for a fortnight.

Dashain festival 2021 has started on October 07 and ends on October 20.

NepaliSansar Wishes all the Nepalis a Happy Bada Dashain!

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A joint meeting of the Department of Transport Management (DoTM), the Home Ministry, the District Administration Office, Kathmandu and transport entrepreneurs had taken the decision to this effect.

People planning to celebrate Dashain festival at their home can book tickets from today.

The government has opened ticket pre-booking for long and medium routes, in consultation with the transport entrepreneurs.

As public vehicles are plying from New Bus Park to more than 65 districts, the government has added a ticket counter for advance ticket booking at the Bus Park.

In collaboration with businessmen, the Lhotse Multipurpose Company has opened 11 ticket counters across Kathmandu.

In view of the festival, the Metropolitan Traffic Police has established passenger helplines at 14 different places in Kathmandu.

The government has also initiated help desks to help passengers know the fare details for various destinations from Kathmandu and transport timings.

People can also book tickets online in the view of the pandemic, according to the DoTM.

Book your tickets today. Have a save journey.

Stay Tuned to NepaliSansar for Latest Nepal Festival News!

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The final day of the 15-day Bada Dashain festival is celebrated as the Kojagrat Purnima, which marks the full moon day.

Nepali Hindus celebrated this day by worshipping and paying homage to Mahalaxmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Devotees perform rituals for the whole night with the belief that the Goddess Mahalaxmi would bless them with wealth and prosperity.

As per Hindu mythology, Goddess Mahalaxmi roams around the earth on the night of Kojagrat Purnima to see people who stay awake to worship her.

As the ritual of giving and receiving Tika and Jamara of the Dashain festival concludes today, Jamara that is sprouted and anointed during the festival is removed from Dashainghar and immersed in holy rivers as per the religious tradition.

Also Read | Amid Pandemic Govt. Urges People Not to Enter/Exit Kathmandu During Dashain Festival!

This day also marks the beginning of preparations for the next greatest festival Tihar, during which Goddess Mahalaxmi is worshipped again.

Stay Tuned to NepaliSansar for Latest Festival News!

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This is the longest Hindu festival in Nepal, traditionally celebrated for 15 days from the Shukla paksha (bright lunar fortnight) of the month and ending on Purnima (full moon).

The festival marks the victory of the Goddess Durga over the Demon Mahisasur. As part of celebrations, devotees visit various temples of Goddess Durga, Mahalaxmi, Mahakali, and Mahasaraswati and other deities reminiscent of power, knowledge, and wealth.

Ghatasthapana (day 1), Fulpati (day 7), Maha Asthami (day 8), Maha Navami (day 9), Vijaya Dashami (day 10), and Kojagrata Purnima (day 15) are the most important events under Dashain each marked with a different set of rituals.

10:19 AM: The Best Time for Dashain Tika

According to the Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Samiti (Calendar Determination Committee), the most auspicious time for receiving and offering Baba Dashain tika today is 10:19 AM (NPT).

However, as Bijaya Dashami is the most auspicious day of the 15-day long Bada Dashain festival, the Committee said that tika could be received and offered at any time today.

Likewise, the best time for Devi Bisarjan is 10:11 AM (NPT).

Tika is a mixture of rice grains, red vermilion powder, yogurt, and curd and put on the forehead of younger relatives as a blessing of the goddess Durga on this auspicious day. Moreover, jamara, newly-germinated barley or maize shoots, are worn behind the ears during Dashain.

However, the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) has advised people to follow health protocols owing to the risk of COVID-19 infection.

Celebrate Dashain From Where You Are, Urges PM Oli!

On the occasion of the Bada Dashain festival, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has extended warm wishes to all the Nepali citizens at home and abroad.

He requested all Nepalis to celebrate the festival cost-effectively and hygienically and refrain from doing any malicious activities in the name of the festival.

“This Dashain, let’s celebrate it from the location where we are at the moment, considering the high risk of COVID-19 infection on senior citizens, children, and people with underlying health conditions,” said PM Oli.

He also informed that the ‘traditional public tika program’ at the Prime Minister’s Residence would not be held this year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Dashain 2077 Greetings!

NepaliSansar wishes all the Nepalis at home and abroad a very Happy and Prosperous Dashain 2077!

May Goddess Durga bless your homes and families with prosperity, wealth, and Health. May this festival be a time of renewed joy, happiness, peace, hope, and strengthen the bond among family and friends.

Stay Tuned to NepaliSansar for Latest Festival News!

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“All branches of commercial banks will remain closed from October 23 to 27,” informed NBA Executive Officer Anil Sharma.

He advised the customers to opt for online banking as the banks are promoting digital services.

Earlier, some branches used to remain open even during the festival season. However, this year, the NBA has decided to close all the branches in view of the coronavirus pandemic.

This year, the Dashain festival, also known as Bijaya Dashami, is falling on October 26. It is the most auspicious festival in Nepal. The festival marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the Demon Mahishasura.

Stay Tuned to NepaliSansar for Latest Festival News!

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During these days, devotees throng Durga temples to offer prayers to Goddess Durga. The festival marks the victory of the Goddess Durga over the Demon Mahisasur.

There are nine famous Durga Temples in Kathmandu, symbolizing nine deities of Goddess Durga. Devotees take a holy bath in these nine ghats of temples and worship the nine deities of Goddess Durga.

Famous Durga Temples in Kathmandu

1) Chamunda Bhagwati Temple

• Location: Shankhmul, Kathmandu
• Deity: Goddess Chamunda Bhagwati
• Worshipped On: First day of Dashain

2) Shova Bhagwati Temple

• Location: Shova Bhagwati, Kathmandu
• Deity: Goddess Lutidevi
• Worshipped On: Second day of Dashain

3) Gokarneshwor Bhagwati Temple

• Location: Gokarna, Kathmandu
• Deity: Goddess Gokarneshwor
• Worshipped On: Third day of Dashain

4) Janaleshwar Bhagwati Temple

• Location: Kalmochan, Kathmandu
• Deity: Goddess Janaleshwar
• Worshiped On: Fourth day of Dashain

5) Manamaijudevi Bhagwati Temple

• Location: Pachali, Kathmandu
• Deity: Goddess Manamaijudevi
• Worshiped On: Fifth day of Dashain

6) Batsaladevi Bhagwati Temple

• Location: Tokha, Kathmandu
• Deity: Goddess Batsaladevi
• Worshiped On: Sixth day of Dashain

7) Nine Ajimas Bhagwati Temple

• Location: Arya Ghat, Kathmandu
• Deity: Goddess Nine Ajimas Bhagwati
• Worshiped On: Seventh day of Dashain

8) Kankeshwari Bhagwati Temple

• Location: Teku, Kathmandu
• Deity: Goddess Kankeshwari
• Worshiped On: Eighth day of Dashain

9) Guheshwari Bhagwati Temple

• Location: Dhoka Tole, Kathmandu
• Deity: Goddess Guheshwari
• Worshiped On: Ninth day of Dashain

NepaliSansar Wishes All The Readers A Happy ‘Vijaya Dasami’ in Advance!

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During a press meet on October 6, Foreign Affairs Minister Pradeep Gyawali instructed people to refrain from leaving Kathmandu during the festival as it will increase the risk of coronavirus infection in the country.

“Although COVID-19 is gradually coming under control in other districts, the Kathmandu Valley is still at high-risk of coronavirus. More than half of the infected people across the country are from the Kathmandu valley,” said Minister Gyawali.

Moreover, he requested people to refrain from taking blessings from their parents with age above 60 years, as putting ‘Tika’ during the festival will put the elderly parents at risk of COVID-19.

“Dashain is just around the corner. We all know, it is customary to receive blessings from guardians, parents, and older people. But this does not mean that we should put our parents, grandparents, uncles, and aunts at risk,” added Minister Gyawali.

He also requested parents to maintain social distance while blessing their children during the festival.

As of today, Nepal has reported 94,253 COVID-19 cases and 578 fatalities. Currently, there are 25,007 active cases and 68,668 recovery cases in the country.

In the last 24 hours, a total of 3,439 new infection cases, 15 death cases, and 1,126 recovery cases were reported in the country.

Also Read: Kathmandu: Nepal’s City of Glory!

Kathmandu Valley alone reported 1,684 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, retaining its position as the country’s worst-hit hotspot.

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Observed as a celebration of the victory of good over evil,  the 15-day Dashain festival falls in the new moon and continues until the full moon in the Hindu month of Ashvin.

As per the Gregorian calendar, Dashain usually falls in the month of September or October and is the time when many Nepalese expatriates return to Nepal to observe the festival in their homeland. During Dashain, Nepal Government offices and many businesses remain closed for 7 days, making it easier for tourists to experience their joy in the country.

A 15-day Dashain

As the longest annual festival of Nepal, Dashain or Navaratri Parba or Bada Dashain marks the start of Nepal’s biggest festival season.

Marking the beginning of this Navaratri festival, devotees today worship Goddess Mahakali, Mahalaxmi and Mahasaraswati at the Dashain Ghar.

During Navaratri, thousands of devotees visit various shrines of Goddess Durga including Shobha Bhagawati, Naxal Bhagawati, Guheswori, Maitidevi, Bhadrakali, Sankata, among others across the country. Ghatasthapana, Fulpati, Maha Ashtami, Maha Nawami and Vijayadashami form the key events of nine-night Navaratri and for the entire festival.

• Ghatasthapana – Ghatasthapana, which falls on Aswin Shukla Pratipada (the first day of the bright half of the lunar calendar in the month of Aswin), marks the beginning of Dashain. As part of this ritual, devotees make a holy pot called Kalash, which will last until the end and is key to the entire festival.On this day, Diyo, Kalash and Lord Ganesh are worshipped as per the Vedic tradition. Apart from that, maize and barley seeds are also sown in a jar with soil and cow dung for successful germination of Jamara (barley sprouts).
• Fulpati – On the Fulpati day, which falls on seventh day of the festival, the Kalash, which is filled with holy water, banana stalks, jamara, sugar cane and tied with red cloth, is carried by Brahmans on a decorated palanquin under a gold-tipped and embroidered umbrella.
• Maha Ashtami – The worship of Goddess Durga begins from the first day of the festival and turns intense on the Maha Ashtami day, wherein devotees offer sacrifices to Goddess Durga and Kali. The night of this day is called ‘Kal Ratri’, the dark night.
• Maha Nawami – Dashain is symbolized by the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahisasura. After nine days of fierce battle (representing Navaratri) with the demon, the Goddess finally kills Mahisasura on the Maha Nawami day. So, on this day, devotees offer slaughtered buffaloes as a sacrifice to the Goddess in the honor of her victory.
• Vijaya Dashami – Vijaya Dashami is the last major event of Dashain that continues for four consecutive days including the festival ending. This celebration marks the victory of good (Goddess Durga) over evil (demon). As a symbolism of nine-day intense battle between the Goddess and demon Mahisasura, devotees celebrate nine forms of Goddess on all the nine days of Navaratri.

 
The festival is also celebrated in remembrance of Lord Rama’s grand victory over demon-king Raavana. The fifteen days of celebration occurs during the bright lunar fortnight and ends on the Full Moon Day.

Celebrations in a Nutshell
On this auspicious day, people clean their homes and decorate them ornately as a gesture of invoking the divine mother to bless the family with fortune. Family members and relatives in different regions gather together for enjoying the reunion with their loved ones. Elders in the family mark the foreheads of the others with Tika, a combination of rice, red vermillion and yoghurt. Buying and wearing new clothes, flying kites, playing cards and playing on the swings and ferris wheels are some of the various customs indulged by kids and adults alike during this period.

Though Dashain is a very traditional Hindu festival, it is also observed by many Buddhists and people of other faiths. In comparative terms, Dashain festival is as significant to Nepalese as Christmas is to Westerners.

This period is also the peak tourist season, with clear skies and mild temperatures. By planning your trip to Nepal early, you can experience the great Nepalese culture and festivities with the local population.

Preparations on a Grand Scale
The 15 day-long Dashain is celebrated grandly across the country every year and a large number of Nepalese travel home during the festival time.

According to the transport department estimates, around 2-3 million people are expected to leave the Kathmandu Valley for the festival, annually. The Government has also planned big for the celebrations and announced Dashain receptions across the constituencies.

The festival welcomes high demand for animals such as goats and buffaloes that are slaughtered in huge numbers during the festival, as an offering to the goddess.

The post Nepal’s Biggest Festival Season: Celebrating Dashain! appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

Nepali Hindus are observing the eighth important day of the 15-day long Dashain festival called Maha Astami, today.

The Maha Astami festival marks the worshipping of one of the significant forms of Goddess Durga called Goddess Mahakali, and the night of this day is celebrated as Kalaratri.

Other key forms of the Goddess including Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswati are also worshipped on this occasion, considered as the day on which Goddess Durga attained power.

The fervor of worship that began from the first Dashain day and the sacrifice to Goddess Durga increases today.

Religious rituals are performed at Dashain Ghars and devotees visit various shrines of Goddess Durga to offer sacrifices of different animals such as goats, buffaloes and ducks.

Devotees also read the holy Durga Saptashati scriptures and also offer special worship to weapons, vehicles and machinery.

A special Kalaratri worship is performed at midnight at the Dashain Ghar of Hanumandhoka in Kathmandu.

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