Best Wishes for Dashain 2020!

Nepal has been on my mind a little extra over the last few days. I’ve spoken with several friends there recently as they gear up for Nepal’s biggest festival, Dashain (pronounced dah-sain). It’s  the longest, most auspicious festival of the year and celebrates the victory of good over evil -  a common theme in Nepali festivals and Hindu mythology! This festival lasts fifteen days in total and celebrates the slaying of buffalo demon Mahisasur by Goddess Durga (a lion-riding, shape-shifting badass who takes on nine different forms!)  in a battle that lasted nine days. 

The first nine days of the festival represent Durga’s different forms and the nine day long battle between good and evil. The 10th day signifies Durga’s victory over Mahisasur and the last five days are spent celebrating the victory of good over evil. 

Dashain is a time for families to come together. People working overseas return to Nepal and many people in Kathmandu go home to their villages. Gifts are exchanged, huge bamboo swings are constructed and it’s tradition to fly kites this time of year. Thousands of animals (mostly chickens, goats and water buffalos) are sacrificed at temples to appease Durga. Interestingly enough, although many Hindus follow a vegetarian sattvic diet, which is said to purify the body and mind, it’s believed that the meat from a sacrificed animal won’t interfere with the mind/body purification that comes from this way of eating. Meat is also quite expensive in Nepal, so for many, Dashain is the only time they’ll get to indulge all year. Mostly, Dashain brings about a feeling of joy and closeness throughout the country. It really is a wonderful festival and a fabulous time to visit Nepal!

सथिहरु, दशैले तिमिहरुको जिवनमा खुसी समृद्दि लिएर आओस्। Friends, may Dashain bring happiness and prosperity to your life!