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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According to religious belief of Mithila, this day is considered auspicious as it is said that Goddess Durga travels back to her consort Lord Shiva on the day of Dashami, after visiting and staying in her maternal home for nine days.

People prepare clay statues of the Goddess and worship her on this day. The deity is then given a farewell by immersing her clay statues in rivers and ponds, reminiscent of her return to Lord Shiva’s abode.

As per religious belief, all the ten gates of heaven are opened on Dashain paving way for people to undertake new ventures, get married or start a journey.

People from the Mithila region consider it auspicious to site a Neelakantha bird. Devotees go to trees where these birds are perched to get a glimpse of the bird. It is believed that Lord Rama had seen this bird on his way to defeat Ravan.

As part of the religious practices of the day, devotees burn the effigy of Ravana, whom Lord Ram defeated after praying to Goddess Durga.

The post Mithila Region Observes Jatara Parb 2019 appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

One of the last festivals in the Bikram Sambat calendar, Ram Navami occurs on the ninth day of the waxing moon in the month of Chaitra.

Lord Rama, the incarnation of Lord Maha Vishnu, is revered by Hindus across the world as the epitome of strength, valor, compassion, purity, serenity and wisdom, and is worshipped with a deep faith and belief.

Celebrations in Janakpur and Kathmandu

On this special day, thousands of devotees throng at the Ram Janaki Temple in Janakpur for grand celebrations. The event is marked by a huge procession of elephants and bullock carts with devotees dancing, singing and reciting the glorious stories of the lord.

In Kathmandu and neighboring Bhaktapur, devotees observe a fast and visit various temples of Sri Ram and Vishnu, including the famous Changu Narayan, Ichangu Narayan, Bichangu Narayan and Budhanilkantha temples throughout the day.

Sano Dashain

The Ram Navami day is followed by Chaite Dashain, the festival commemorating the victory of truth and righteousness over evil. Ram Navami and Chaite Dashain are together also known as Sano Dashain or Small Dashain and are accorded the same importance as the ten days of Bijaya Dashami or Dashain.

On the Chaite Dashain day, Goddess Durga is worshipped with devoutness. Sacrifice of water buffaloes, goats, hens, ducks and other animals is carried out at the Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square in Kathmandu and Bhaktapur Durbar square to propitiate the goddess.

People get together with family and friends and partake in a feast to celebrate the occasion.

The festival serves as an inspiration to mankind to follow the path of truth and abide by the highest moral standards.

The post Nepali Hindus Observe Sri Rama Navami Today appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

Locals call them Kumaris or Living Goddess. During the festival, girls selected as Kumaris live in temples. They are carried over chariots and are worshiped by thousands of devotees.

The post A Country Where Young Girls Are Worshiped appeared first on Nepali Sansar.