Dashain
Dashain is the main festival of Hindu religion. Like other festivals, it is also based on the lunar clendar and falls in the months of Aswin or Kartik. Dashain is observed for 15 days from the new moon day (Ghatasthapana) to the full moon day (Kojagrat Purnima). It is a festival of great delight, enthusiasm and rapture.
The time of Dashain is very fine. The weather is fair and mild. There is no more mud or dust. Farmers are getting relief from their tiring season of plantations and weddings. Schools, colleges, factories and offices remain close. Fair and pleasant weather, ripening and rustling crops, busy roads and paths, crowded shops, speedy renovations and cleanliness of roads, temples, taps, etc., and decorations all indicate the arrival of the greatest festival.
Dashain celebrates the inevitable victory of virtune over vice, of truth over untruth and of justice over injustice. The goddess Durga known as the goddess of victory is worshipped with great devotion, during the first nine days called Nawa Durga. People swarm to the well-maintained temples of the Goddess Durga. They make sacrifices of goats, buffalos, etc. The Chandi, a story of victory achieved by deities over devils in Satya Yugy, is recited for sacredness and sanctity. It is believed that in Treta Yuga, Lord Rama had secured victory after performing puga to Goddess Durga. The tenth day known as Vijayadashami is the main day of the vacation festival. On this day, people receive red tika, jamara and blessings from their seniors. Rato tika is the symbol of both fortune and victory in Hindu culture.
Dashain is also the time of family gatherings and feasts people forget their differences and misunderstandings and visit their relatives. Those away from their home or country return during the time people wear new clothes, eat sels, beaten rice, meat chocolates and spice. For very poor people it is the rare occasion of good and delicious food. Traditional swing such as the bamboo supported Linge pings are very popular. Nepali lifestyle is highly reflected by this festival. Malshree songs are played. Media such as radio, TV and Newspaper broadcast or publish wishes and greetings both their own and the sponsored ones. There is gun firing accompanied by flower showering at Tundikhel in Kathmandu. It’s tradition for commoners to receive tika from the state head of the country.
Many people celebrate the festival with grate pomp and shows. Celebration are often extravagant. Widespread drinking and gambling often lead to quarrels and fights. For poor people Dashain is rather a curse it is very difficult for them to afford for the traditional celebrations. Many are left bankrupt due to their extravagance. The sacrifices offered to the goddess is very terrific people fall victim to indigestion , food poisoning and accidents. Before Dashain there are a lot of crimes such as pick pocketing, robbery, and loots. Market price often tend to rise before and on the eve of the festival. Such evil aspects of Dashain need to be curbed or discarded.
ThE EnD
Tihar
Tihar (Nepali: तिहार), also known as Deepawali and Yamapanchak or Swanti(Newari: स्वन्ती:), is a five-day-long Hindu festival celebrated in Nepal and in the Indian states of Assam and Sikkim including in Darjeeling district of West Bengal. It is the festival of lights, as diyas are lit inside and outside the houses to make it illuminate at night. It is popularly known as Swanti among the Newarsand as Deepawali among Madhesis. Set in the Vikram Samvat calendar, the festival begins with Kaag Tihar in Trayodashi of Kartik Krishna Paksha and ends with Bhai Tika in Dwitiya of Kartik Sukla Paksha every year.
Tihar
Tihar (Nepali: तिहार), also known as Deepawali and Yamapanchak or Swanti(Newari: स्वन्ती:), is a five-day-long Hindu festival celebrated in Nepal and in the Indian states of Assam and Sikkim including in Darjeeling district of West Bengal. It is the festival of lights, as diyas are lit inside and outside the houses to make it illuminate at night. It is popularly known as Swanti among the Newarsand as Deepawali among Madhesis. Set in the Vikram Samvat calendar, the festival begins with Kaag Tihar in Trayodashi of Kartik Krishna Paksha and ends with Bhai Tika in Dwitiya of Kartik Sukla Paksha every year.
Tihar, a five days festival, also known as Deepawali or Diwali – but especially in Nepal – Tihar is considered as a high spirit festival among, both, Hindus and non-Hindus.
Kaag Tihar
Tihar is one such festival where animals are worshipped, as a gratitude, for always being there, around us, and helped us on our every little step towards our success. The first day of the festival is known as Kaag Tihar, in translation Crow Festival. Hindus believe crows are the messenger of the lord of death, Yama. On this day, people keep delicious food on top of the roof attracting crows, so that they will only bring good news.
kukur Tihar
The second day is called as Kukur Tihar, Dog Festival. Perhaps only dogs of Nepal got an opportunity to live one famous saying, “Every dog has its day”. On this day, dogs are worshipped for their loyalty, for their friendship, and for their protection. Dogs, according to the Vedic mythology, guard the gate of the underworld empire. So, it is better to worship them rather than carrying a grudge till the next life.
Goru Thihar
Nepal is mostly an agricultural country so oxen are considered important animals as they help in ploughing the fields. That is why on this day they are worshiped with tika, garland and offered nice food.
Also this day small hillocks made out of cow dung is worshiped. It is believed that once there was a drought in a village in Vridavan. The villagers were very worried and they wanted to perform a big Puja in honour of Lord Indra, the God of rain. But Lord Krishna convinced them that, they should not pray to Lord Indra since it was the Mount Govardhan that brought the rain and not Lord Indra. This made Lord Indra very angry and in his wrath he sent forth a big thunderstorm to flood the village. Lord Krishan lifted the Mount Govardhan as an umbrella above the village to protect the villagers and their cattle from the rain and flood.
Deusi and bhailo
Bhailo and Deusi Re are traditional songs that are sung during the festival of light Dipavali and also called "Tihar" in Nepal. Children and teenagers sing the songs and dance as they go to various homes in their community, collecting money, sweets, food and giving blessings for prosperity. Bhailo is generally sung by girls, while Deusi is sung by boys. At the end of these songs, the woman of the house serve food and give money to these deusi/bhailo singers and dancers. In return, the Deusi/Bhailo team gives blessings for high income and prosperity.
Bhai - Tika
Bhai tika is the last, and the most important day of Tihar. In this day, the sisters apply Tika to their brothers’ forehead (and hence, given the name as ‘Bhai Tika’), thank them for the protection they give. The Tika is colourful, which consists of seven colors and called as ‘Saptarangi Tika’ in Nepali. Along with the Tika, the sisters offer garlands of Marigold and Chrysanthemum (nowadays the plastic readymade garlands are also used to some extent, in the case of scarcity of the flowers), sweets, and special dishes for them. The sisters pray for the brothers’ long lives, and have a talk with them, and enjoy the meal together.
ThE EnD
