View source for Dashain

{{Unreliable sources|date=October 2023}}
{{Short description|Regional Hindu festival}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox holiday
| holiday_name  = Dashain
| image         = Durga as Slayer of the Buffalo Demon Mahishasura MET DT5236.jpg
| caption       = Dashain commemorates [[Durga]]'s slaying of the demon [[Mahishasura]].<ref name="Fuller2004p108">{{cite book|author=Christopher John Fuller|title=The Camphor Flame: Popular Nepali and hilly Society in India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=To6XSeBUW3oC&pg=PA108|year=2004|publisher=Princeton University Press|isbn=0-691-12048-X|pages=108–109|access-date=8 November 2018|archive-date=30 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730024258/https://books.google.com/books?id=To6XSeBUW3oC&pg=PA108|url-status=live}}</ref>
| nickname      = Bijaya Dashami, Nauratha
| observedby    = Nepalese and [[Indian Gorkha]] Hindus and Buddhists
| date          = [[Ashvin]] or [[Kartik (month)|Kartika]] (September to November)
| observances   = Worshipping nine forms of Durga, visiting [[Shakti Pitha]]s and [[pandal]]s, organizing plays, visiting relatives, feasts, community gathering, recitation of scriptures, immersion of the idol Durga or burning of [[Ravana]]
| celebrations  = Marks the end of [[Durga Puja]]
| type          = Hindu, Sikh, Jain
| longtype      = Religious, cultural
| significance  = A festival commemorating the victory of good over evil
| official_name = बडादसैँ
| relatedto     = [[Vijaya Dashami]]
}}
'''Dashain''' or '''Bada'dashain''', also known as '''[[Vijaya Dashami]]''' in [[Sanskrit]], is a [[Hindu]] religious festival in [[Nepal]], [[Sikkim]], [[West Bengal]], [[Assam]], [[South India]], and [[Sri Lanka]].<ref>{{cite web|title = Happy Dashain 2075|publisher = Lumbini Media|date = 18 September 2017|url = http://www.lumbinimedia.com/2017/09/happy-dashain-2074-wallpaper.html|access-date = 18 September 2017|archive-date = 29 September 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220929094813/https://www.lumbinimedia.com/2017/09/happy-dashain-2074-wallpaper.html|url-status = usurped}}</ref> It is also celebrated by other religions in Nepal and elsewhere,<ref name="NHP">{{cite web|url=http://www.nepalhomepage.com/society/festivals/dashain.html |title=Festivals of Nepal: Dashain |publisher=Nepal Home Page: Travel Guide |access-date=28 June 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511230731/http://www.nepalhomepage.com/society/festivals/dashain.html |archive-date=11 May 2008   }}</ref> including the [[Lhotshampa]] of [[Bhutan]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbs.bt/news/?p=53990|title=King of Bhutan Celebrated Dashain with Bhutanese people in Loggchina|date=23 October 2015|access-date=12 October 2016|archive-date=20 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620180805/http://www.bbs.bt/news/?p=53990|url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[Burmese Gurkha]]s of [[Myanmar]]. The festival is also known as '''Nauratha''', derived from the [[Sanskrit]] word for the festival: [[Navaratri]] (Nine Nights).{{sfn|James G. Lochtefeld|2002|pp=468-469}}  

The longest festival in the [[Bikram Sambat]] and [[Nepal Sambat]] annual calendars, it is celebrated by [[Nepali Hindus]] and their diaspora. In Nepal, the 15-day festival is the country's longest. People return from all parts of the world and different parts of the country to celebrate together.<ref name="NHP" /> The festival falls in September or October, beginning on the [[Paksha#Shukla Paksha|Shukla Paksha]] (bright lunar night) of the month of [[Ashwin|Ashvin]] and ending on [[Purnima (day)|Purnima]], the full [[moon]]. Of the fifteen days it is celebrated, the most celebrated are the first, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, and fifteenth.<ref>[http://www.nepalhomepage.com/society/festivals/dashain.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511230731/http://www.nepalhomepage.com/society/festivals/dashain.html|date=11 May 2008}}</ref>

==Etymology==
''Vaḍādaśain̐'' ({{lang|ne|वडादशैँ}}) is a Nepali [[sandhi]]. ''Bbaḍā'' ({{lang|ne|बडा}}) means "important"; ''daśa͠i'' ({{lang|ne|दशैं}}) means "tenth", implying the most-significant final day of the festival of [[Durga Puja]] and celebrating the dawn after [[Navaratri|Nauratha]] (nine nights). The word ''Dashain'' is derived from the Sanskrit word [[dashami|daśamī]], denoting the 12th day of [[Kaula (month)|Kaula]] in this context.

==Significance==
For followers of [[Shaktism]], Dashain represents the victory of [[Durga]] over [[Mahishasura]] (who had terrorised the [[Deva (Hinduism)|devas]] and usurped their abode, [[Svarga]]).<ref name="mm">{{cite web|title=Mahishasur Mardini|url=http://shaktisadhana.50megs.com/Newhomepage/shakti/mahishasuramardini.html|publisher=Shaktisadhana.50megs.com|access-date=11 November 2015|archive-date=25 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925125146/http://shaktisadhana.50megs.com/Newhomepage/shakti/mahishasuramardini.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="mahishasur">{{cite web|title=The Slayer Of Mahishasura|url=http://www.balagokulam.org/kids/stories/durga.php|publisher=Balagokulam.org|access-date=11 November 2015|archive-date=31 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151031124044/http://www.balagokulam.org/kids/stories/durga.php|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="mn">{{cite web|title=Major festivals of nepal|url=http://www.asukagroup.com/travel/festival.html|publisher=Asukagroup.com|access-date=11 November 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150331023512/http://www.asukagroup.com/travel/festival.html|archive-date=31 March 2015}}</ref> The festival's first nine days symbolize the battle between different manifestations of Durga and Mahishasura; on the tenth day, Durga is victorious. For other Hindus, it symbolizes the victory of [[Rama]] over [[Ravana]] (as told in the ''[[Ramayana]]'') and the triumph of good over evil.

==Day 1: Ghatasthapana==
[[File:Nepal's biggest festival Dashain.jpg|thumb|alt=Yellow grass on a plate|''Jamara'' is sown on Ghatasthapna. The grass is grown in a dark room for nine days, and received as a [[Prasada|prasad]] on the tenth day.]] 
Ghatasthapana ({{lang|ne|घटस्थापना}}; "sowing ''jamara''") is celebrated by [[Jhijhiya]] folk dancing across [[Mithila (region)|Mithila]] in [[Madhesh Province]] as the beginning of Dashain.<ref name="begins">{{cite web |title= Dashain begins with Ghatasthapana Wednesday |date= 28 September 2011 |author= nmn |url= http://www.nepalmountainnews.com/cms/2011/09/28/dashain-begins-with-ghatasthapana-today/ |publisher= Nepal Mountain News |access-date= 11 November 2015 |archive-date= 27 September 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150927031915/http://www.nepalmountainnews.com/cms/2011/09/28/dashain-begins-with-ghatasthapana-today/ |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title = Dashain 2072: When is Dashain in 2015 (2072) : Dashain 2072|publisher = Sanjan Media|date = 25 September 2015|url = http://www.sanjan.com.np/2015/09/dashain-2072-when-is-dashain-in-2015.html|access-date = 11 November 2015|archive-date = 31 October 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151031110029/http://www.sanjan.com.np/2015/09/dashain-2072-when-is-dashain-in-2015.html|url-status = live}}</ref> A [[kalasha]] (pot) symbolizes Durga. It is filled with holy water in which barley seeds are sown, and placed in the center of a rectangular sand block. The remaining bed of sand is also seeded with grains. A priest begins the ''[[puja (Hinduism)|puja]]'' by asking Durga to bless the vessel with her presence. The ritual is performed at an astrologically-determined time,<ref name="gn">{{cite web|title=Ghatasthapana|url=http://www.riiti.com/341/ghatasthapana_-_kalashsthapana|publisher=Riiti.com|access-date=11 November 2015|archive-date=12 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112161748/http://www.riiti.com/341/ghatasthapana_-_kalashsthapana|url-status=live}}</ref> and Durga is believed to reside in the vessel during Navaratri.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.myrepublica.com/news/27942/|title=Ghatasthapana for luck and prosperity: Dashain days are here again|work=My Republica|access-date=24 September 2017|language=en|archive-date=24 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924225633/http://www.myrepublica.com/news/27942/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The ''puja'' room is known as the ''Dashain Ghar'', which is traditionally closed to outsiders. The kalasha is worshiped in the morning and evening, and is kept away from direct sunlight.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nepalhomepage.com/society/festivals/dashain.html |title=Festivals of Nepal: Dashain |access-date=17 November 2011 |publisher=Nepalhomepage.com |author=Karki, Avigya |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511230731/http://www.nepalhomepage.com/society/festivals/dashain.html |archive-date=11 May 2008  }}</ref> By the tenth day, the seed will have sprouted to five- or six-inch-long yellow grass known as ''jamara''. The rituals continue until the seventh day.

== Day 7: Phulpati ==
Phulpati ({{Lang|ne|फूलपाती}}) is celebrated on the seventh day of Dashain. ''Phulpati'' is made up of two words: ''phūl'' (flower) and ''pātī'' (leaf). 

{{Multiple image
| direction         = horizontal
| image1            = Gorkha Museum1.jpg
| caption1          = [[Gorkha Palace]], the ancestral seat of the Shah kings
| alt1              = A sunlit courtyard
| image2            = Basantapur Tower Kathmandu Durbar Square Nepal.jpg
| caption2          = [[Kathmandu Durbar Square]], the old royal palace of Kathmandu
| alt2              = An old red-brick tower
| total_width       = 400
}}

On this day the Phulpati (the kalasha, banana stalks, ''Jamara'', and sugar cane tied with red cloth) is brought by [[Magars]] from [[Gorkha District|Gorkha]]{{snd}}a three-day walk, about {{convert|169|km|miles}} from the [[Kathmandu Valley]]. Hundreds of formally-dressed government officials gather on the [[Tundikhel]] ground for the event. The [[List of monarchs of Nepal|king]] observed the ceremony at Tundikhel, and the Phulpati parade marched towards the [[Hanuman Dhoka]] complex. The [[Nepali Army]] fires a 10- to 15-minute feu de joie and a 21-gun salute, followed by a military parade. The Phulpati is brought to the Hanuman Dhoka palace.<ref name="fulpati">{{cite web|title=Fulpati|url=http://www.ekantipur.com/the-kathmandu-post/2011/10/03/top-story/fulpati-observed-as-dashain-proper-begins/226961.html|publisher=Kathmandu Post|access-date=11 November 2015|archive-date=5 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205162200/http://www.ekantipur.com/the-kathmandu-post/2011/10/03/top-story/fulpati-observed-as-dashain-proper-begins/226961.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Since 2001,when the royal family was overthrown, the two-century-old tradition has changed and the Phulpati goes to the residence of the president. The president assumed the king's social and religious roles after the end of the monarchy, in addition to being commander-in-chief of the army. The Phulpati parade at Tundikhel is still held as a expression of army loyalty to Nepali traditions and culture.<ref name="pt">{{cite web |title=President offers tika |url=http://www.nepalnews.com/home/index.php/news/2/13701-president-yadav-offers-dashain-tika-to-general-public.html |publisher=Nepalnews.com}}</ref>

In other cities and towns across Nepal and India, a Phulpati procession takes place. Flowers, fruit and holy symbols are tied in a red cloth, which is covered with a red shawl and carried on a decorated log. Townspeople offer flowers and fruit as the procession passes their houses,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Darjeeling kicks off festival with flower march |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/darjeeling-kicks-off-festival-with-flower-march/cid/1671997 |access-date=2022-10-08 |website=www.telegraphindia.com |archive-date=8 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008061640/https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/darjeeling-kicks-off-festival-with-flower-march/cid/1671997 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=दार्जीलिङको पहाडी भेकमा जातीय सांस्कृतिक उत्सवको रुपमा फूलपाती मनाइयो |url=https://www.dainiknepal.com/2022/10/585863.html |access-date=2022-10-08 |website=Dainik Nepal |language=en-US |archive-date=8 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008061613/https://www.dainiknepal.com/2022/10/585863.html |url-status=live }}</ref> accompanied by traditional [[Naumati baaja|Naumati]] instruments.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Samaya |first=Nepal |title=आज फूलपाती भित्र्याइँदै, देशभरका शक्तिपीठमा पूजाआजा गरिँदै |url=https://nepalsamaya.com/samaj/2022-10-02-054000 |access-date=2022-10-08 |website=nepalsamaya.com |language=en-gb |archive-date=8 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008061613/https://nepalsamaya.com/samaj/2022-10-02-054000 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Day 9: Maha Navami ==
[[File:Dashain (1856).png|A Maha Navami celebration in 1856|thumb|alt=A watercolour painting]]
[[File: Taleju Temple (17231063613) (cropped) (cropped).jpg|alt=A large temple|thumb|Taleju Temple is open to the public only on Maha Navami]]
The ninth day of Dashain is Maha Navami, "the great ninth day". The last day of Navaratri, ceremonies and rituals reach a peak. On this day, official ritual sacrifices of the Nepal Armed Forces are held in both one of the Hanuman Dhoka royal palaces, the Kot courtyard grounds, and in the presidential palace yard. 

On Maha Navami, Durga is celebrated. Artisans, craftsmen, traders, and mechanics worship and offer animal and fowl blood to their tools, equipment, and vehicles. The [[Taleju Temple, Kathmandu|Taleju Temple]] gates are opened to the general public only on this day, and thousands of devotees pay their respects to the goddess.<ref name="Days of Dashain">{{cite web|title=Days of Dashain|url=http://www.nepalvista.com/travel/dashain.html|publisher=Nepalvista.com|access-date=11 November 2015|archive-date=27 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140927162013/http://www.nepalvista.com/travel/dashain.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Day 10: Bijaya Dashami ==
[[File:Tika and jamara.jpg|thumb|alt=Colourful foods on a plate|The [[Tilaka|Tika]] (in red) and ''jamara'' used during Dashain]]

The tenth day of the festival is the [[Vijayadashami|Bijaya dashami]]. On this day, a mixture of [[rice]], [[yogurt]] and [[vermilion]] is prepared which is known as "tika". Dashain tika time<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://saranepal.org/dashain-tika-time-2074-2017-tika-sahit/ |title=dashain tika time |access-date=25 September 2017 |archive-date=25 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925132318/https://saranepal.org/dashain-tika-time-2074-2017-tika-sahit/ |url-status=live }}</ref> differs by year. Elders put this ''tika'' and ''jamara'' on the forehead of younger relatives to bless them with abundance in the future. Red symbolizes the blood that ties the family and community together.

== Day 11: Papakunsha Ekadashi ==
[[File: Putting Tika From Elder.jpeg|thumb|alt=A man anoints the forehead of a young girl|An elder celebrates Dashain by putting tika on a child.]]
[[Ekadashi]] is the eleventh day of the lunar fortnight in the Hindu calendar, and people usually fast. The day after Bijaya Dashami is known as ''Papakunsha Ekadashi'' ({{Lang|ne|पापकुंश एकादशी}}). On this day, it is customary to listen to Papakunsha Ekadashi stories and visit religious sites.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2020-10-27 |title=दशैँ टिकाको भोली पल्ट आज पापांकुशा एकादशी: सुन, तिल, जौ, अन्न, भूमी, छाता र जुत्ता दान गर्नाले मृत्युपछि स्वर्गलोक प्राप्त हुने विश्वास |url=https://purbelinews.com/431878 |access-date=2022-10-08 |website=Purbeli News |language=ne |archive-date=8 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008061615/https://purbelinews.com/431878 |url-status=live }}</ref> Donating objects such as gold, sesame, barley, grain, soil, umbrellas, and shoes is believed to lead to heaven after death.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-10-09 |title=आज पापांकुशा एकादशी |url=https://rastriyasamachar.com/2019/10/09/26030/ |access-date=2022-10-08 |website=Rastriya Samachar |language=ne |archive-date=8 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008061641/https://rastriyasamachar.com/2019/10/09/26030/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

== Day 15: Kojagrat Purnima == 

The festival's last day, on the full-moon day, is known as Kojagrat Purnima ({{Lang|ne| कोजाग्रत पूर्णिमा}}) or [[Sharad Purnima]]. The literal meaning of Kojagrat is "who is awake". [[Lakshmi]], the goddess of wealth, is worshipped because it is believed that she descends to earth and showers whoever is awake all night with prosperity. Activities that night include playing cards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=आज कोजाग्रत पूर्णिमा, दशैंको समापन गरिँदै |url=https://www.onlinekhabar.com/2017/10/629849 |access-date=2022-10-08 |website=Online Khabar |language=en-US |archive-date=8 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008055947/https://www.onlinekhabar.com/2017/10/629849 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Animal sacrifice is common, as the festival commemorates the bloody battles between divine and demonic powers. Proponents interpret it as the symbolic sacrifice of animal qualities, and those opposed to animal sacrifice call it an excuse to satisfy the appetite for meat.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.explorehimalaya.com/blog/september-festivals/|title=September Festivals|date=27 September 2009|publisher=Explore Himalaya|access-date=18 September 2009|archive-date=23 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923032014/http://www.explorehimalaya.com/blog/september-festivals/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Related traditions ==
=== Music ===
[[Malshree dhun|Malshree dhoon]] has been incorporated into mainstream Nepalese music as the music of Dashain, announcing that the festival has begun. It is some of the oldest surviving [[Newa]]-language devotional music, originating in the 17th century.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://ecs.com.np/features/melodious-instruments-of-lyrical-nepal |title=Melodious Instruments of Lyrical Nepal |access-date=11 October 2018 |archive-date=28 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928152605/http://ecs.com.np/features/melodious-instruments-of-lyrical-nepal |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== <span class="anchor" id="Mantra"></span>Mantras ===
[[File: Dashain Ritual.jpg|thumb|alt=Food and a lit candle|A Dashain ritual]]
While putting [[Tilaka|tikas]] on younger family members, elders usually recite [[Sanskrit]] [[Mantra|mantras]] as a blessing. Two main mantras are recited while applying tikas on Bijaya Dashami: one for men and one for women.

In the male mantra, the qualities of mythical Hindu heroes (such as [[Yudhishthira]] and [[Balarama]]) and antiheroes ([[Ashwatthama]] and [[Duryodhana]]) are extolled.<ref>{{Cite web |title=दसैंको आर्शिवाद कति अर्थपूर्ण र उपयोगी छ |url=https://www.onlinekhabar.com/2019/10/801865 |access-date=2022-10-09 |website=Online Khabar |language=en-US |archive-date=9 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009114916/https://www.onlinekhabar.com/2019/10/801865 |url-status=live }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+Mantra for men and boys
![[International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration|IAST]]
!English translation
|-
|{{Blockquote|text=Āyu Droṇasute śreyaṃ Daśarathe śatrukṣayeṃ Rāghave

Aiśvaryaṃ Nahuṣe gatiścha Pavane mānaṃ cha Duryodhane

Dānaṃ Sūryasute balaṃ Haladhare satyaṃ cha Kuntīsute

Vijñānaṃ Vidure bhavantu bhavatāṃ kīrtiścha Nārāyaṇe}}
|{{Blockquote|text=May you have a long life as the son of [[Drona]] ([[Ashwatthama]])

May you be as fortunate as [[Dasharatha]]

May you defeat all your enemies as [[Rama|Raghava]]

May you have the grandeur of [[Nahusha]]

May you have the speed of [[Vayu|Pavana]] (wind)

May you be as respected as [[Duryodhana]]

May you be giving as the son of [[Surya]] ([[Karna]])

May you have the strength of the plough wielder ([[Balarama]])

May you be truthful as the son of [[Kunti]] ([[Yudhishthira]])

May you have the intelligence of [[Vidura]]

May you have the glory of [[Narayana]]}}
|}
The female mantra worships women as various form of goddess [[Durga]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=दशैँका आशिष ! |url=https://www.lokpath.com/story/314996 |access-date=2022-10-09 |website=Lokpath |language=en |archive-date=9 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009114917/https://www.lokpath.com/story/314996 |url-status=live }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+Mantra for women and girls
!IAST
!English translation
|-
|{{Blockquote|text=Jayanti Maṅgalā Kālī Bhadrakālī Kapālinī<br>

Durgā Kṣamā Śivā Dhātrī Svāhā Svadhā Namokastute}}
|{{Blockquote|text=I bow before thee, who exists in various forms as Jayanti, Mangalā, Kāli, Bhadrakāli, Kapalini,<br>

Durgā, Kshāma, Shivā, Dhatri, Svāhā and Svadhā.}}
|}
In addition to these mantras, other blessings for good health and fortune are given.

=== Games and carnivals ===

[[File:Thrill-of-flying-kites 640.jpg|alt=A man flying a kite, seen from behind|thumb|Kites are flown during Dashain.|upright=1.1]]
[[File:Linge Ping, traditional festive swing in Nepal.jpg|alt=A tree swing, with the setting sun in the background|thumb|upright=1.1|Children on a traditional Dashain swing ([[Linge Ping]]) in Palpa, Nepal in 2019]]
[[File:पिर्केे पिङ.jpg|thumb|alt=A four-seat wooden Ferris wheel|A wooden Ferris wheel|upright=1.1]]
As Dashain approaches, kite-flying becomes more common. Kites are considered one way of reminding God to stop sending rain.<ref name="Ecs Dasain" /> During the festival, people of all ages fly kites from their roofs. Colourful kites and voices shouting "''changā chet''" (when a person cuts another's kite string) fill the days. Playing cards is another way of celebrating Dashain.<ref name="Ecs Dasain">{{cite web|title=ECS Dasain|url=http://ecs.com.np/feature_detail.php?f_id=314|publisher=ECS.com.np|access-date=11 November 2015|archive-date=20 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020074119/http://ecs.com.np/feature_detail.php?f_id=314|url-status=dead}}</ref> 

[[Bamboo]] swings are built in many parts of the country, and Dashain swings are known as ''ping'' in Nepali.<ref name=swing>{{cite web|title=To Swing On A Ping|url=http://www.ecs.com.np/living_category.php?category=8&id=104|publisher=ECS.com.np|access-date=11 November 2015|archive-date=25 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111025021935/http://ecs.com.np/living_category.php?category=8&id=104|url-status=dead}}</ref> The swings, made with traditional methods, are normally constructed a week before Ghatasthapana{{snd}}the first day of Navratri{{snd}}and dismantled after the festival of [[Tihar (festival)|Tihar]] (which follows Dashain). The height of some swings exceeds twenty feet, and they are especially popular with children.

Fairs and celebrations are organized during the festival. Small village fairs have Ferris wheels for children and other entertainment for adults. In the city, commercial fairs and celebrations are usually held.

=== Shopping ===
Buying and wearing new clothes is an important part of Dashain. Many people in the villages are poor, and new clothes are synonymous with Dashain for them.<ref name="Ecs Dasain" /> Almost all shops have festival discounts, and clothing has its highest sales during the festival.<ref name="Days of Dashain" />

=== Feasts ===
[[File:Rakti with chiura.jpg|thumb|alt=A meat-and-rice dish|Rakti with [[Flattened rice|chiura]]]]

Thousands of animals, including [[African buffalo|buffalo]], [[duck]]s, and [[Sheep|rams]], are slaughtered during Dashain every year. It is believed that the goddesses are appeased by the sacrifices. Almost all the temples, especially the Durga and [[Kali]] temples, receive thousands of sacrifices. Ashtami and Navami are the days when the sacrifices peak. Thousands of animals are sacrificed to appease the goddesses, and people also slaughter animals for feasts. Since many feasts and gatherings are organized throughout the festival's fifteen days, demand for meat increases considerably.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.myrepublica.com/news/28118/|title=Enjoy Healthy Food This Dashain|work=My Republica|access-date=24 September 2017|language=en|archive-date=24 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924230255/http://www.myrepublica.com/news/28118/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/goats-for-dashain-2/|title=Goat for Dashain - The Himalayan Times|date=21 September 2017|work=The Himalayan Times|access-date=24 September 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=25 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925040831/https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/goats-for-dashain-2/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==<span class="anchor" id="Dasain abroad"></span>Dashain abroad==
===Bhutan===
Dashain was declared a national holiday in [[Bhutan]] in 1980.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Hofbauer |first=H. |date=1996 |title=Bhutan |url=https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004208162_005 |journal=Human Rights in Development Yearbook |volume=3 |pages=75–115 |doi=10.1163/9789004208162_005 |isbn=9789004208162 |via=|url-access=subscription }}</ref> It is celebrated by the country's Hindu community, and is a major [[Lhotshampa]] festival. The king of Bhutan offers the Dashain tika to representatives of the Hindu community at the Devi Panchayan Mandir in [[Thimphu]] every year, and tika and royal blessings are sent to other ''[[Districts of Bhutan|dzongkhags]]'' across the country. The king also offers prayers to Durga at the Hindu temple.<ref>{{Cite web| last = Newspaper| first = Bhutan's Daily| title = His Majesty The King grants Dashain Tika| work = Kuensel Online| accessdate = 2023-07-17| url = https://kuenselonline.com/his-majesty-the-king-grants-dashain-tika/| archive-date = 17 July 2023| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230717091753/https://kuenselonline.com/his-majesty-the-king-grants-dashain-tika/| url-status = live}}</ref> White tika is used.<ref>{{Cite news| title = चार दशकअघि नेपाल आएका शरणार्थीले अझै बिर्सिन सकेका छैनन् भुटानको दशैँ| work = BBC News नेपाली| accessdate = 2023-07-17| url = https://www.bbc.com/nepali/news-54632136| archive-date = 17 July 2023| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230717091753/https://www.bbc.com/nepali/news-54632136| url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| last = Newspaper| first = Bhutan's Daily| title = Her Majesty and HRH Gyalsey Ugyen Wangchuck attend Tika ceremony| work = Kuensel Online| accessdate = 2023-10-27| url = https://kuenselonline.com/her-majesty-and-hrh-gyalsey-ugyen-wangchuck-attend-tika-ceremony/}}</ref>

===India===
Dashain is celebrated by [[Nepali language|Nepali]]-speaking communities in [[Darjeeling]], [[Sikkim]] and [[Assam]]. The [[Gorkhaland movement]] increased the importance of the Dashain and [[Tihar (festival)|Tihar]] festivals. A red tika is used.<ref>{{Cite news| title = भारतका नेपाली भाषी: दशैँ भन्दा ठूलो कुनै चाड छैन| work = BBC News नेपाली| accessdate = 2023-07-17| url = https://www.bbc.com/nepali/news-58841377| archive-date = 17 July 2023| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230717114330/https://www.bbc.com/nepali/news-58841377| url-status = live}}</ref> Nepalese people working in India return ''en masse'' during the festival, causing congestion in border areas.<ref>{{Cite web| last = श्रेष्ठ| first = कुमार| title = कामकाे सिलसिलामा भारत पुगेका नेपाली दशैँ मान्न घर फर्किन थाले| work = देशसञ्चार| accessdate = 2023-07-17| date = 2019-09-11| url = https://deshsanchar.com/2019/09/11/248076/| archive-date = 17 July 2023| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230717114729/https://deshsanchar.com/2019/09/11/248076/| url-status = live}}</ref>

===Myanmar===
[[Myanmar]] has a Nepali-speaking population of about 100,000 people. Fewer animal sacrifices are made during Dashain, and tika is traditionally offered to descendants of the [[Konbaung dynasty]]. Kite-flying is uncommon.<ref>{{Cite news| title = परदेशिएको दशकौँ पछि म्यानमारका नेपालीले दशैँ मान्ने चलन कसरी कायम राखेका छन्| work = BBC News नेपाली| accessdate = 2023-07-17| url = https://www.bbc.com/nepali/news-54626799| archive-date = 17 July 2023| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230717091753/https://www.bbc.com/nepali/news-54626799| url-status = live}}</ref>

==<span class="anchor" id="Criticisms"></span>Criticism==
Dashain is criticized for its animal sacrifice,<ref>{{cite web |last=Criveller |first=Gianni |url=http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Buddhists-and-animal-rights-activists-against-animal-slaughter-for-Durga-32254.html |title=NEPAL Buddhists and animal rights activists against animal slaughter for Durga - Asia News |publisher=Asianews.it |access-date=11 November 2015 |archive-date=16 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116020839/http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Buddhists-and-animal-rights-activists-against-animal-slaughter-for-Durga-32254.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Bibek Bhandari |url=http://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/1625292/animal-rights-activists-want-nepals-sacrifice-festival-stopped |title=Animal rights activists want Nepal's sacrifice festival stopped &#124; South China Morning Post |date=27 October 2014 |publisher=Scmp.com |access-date=11 November 2015 |archive-date=16 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116020838/http://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/1625292/animal-rights-activists-want-nepals-sacrifice-festival-stopped |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.myrepublica.com/news/27990/|title=NFC starts selling goats for Dashain|work=My Republica|access-date=24 September 2017|language=en|archive-date=23 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923194240/http://www.myrepublica.com/news/27990/|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[online petition]]s have been registered on [[Change.org]] calling for government action against it. Many animals and birds are ritually slaughtered, especially on the festival's eighth and ninth days.<ref>{{cite news |last=Haviland |first=Charles |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7052543.stm |title=Revulsion over Nepal animal slaughter |work=[[BBC News]] |date=19 October 2007 |access-date=9 October 2016 |archive-date=7 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307090628/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7052543.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Birds and animals traditionally sacrificed include goats, buffaloes, sheep, chickens, and ducks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.occupyforanimals.net/dashain-festival-nepal.html |title=Dashain festival, Nepal - Occupy for Animals! |publisher=Occupyforanimals.net |access-date=11 November 2015 |archive-date=17 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117015154/http://www.occupyforanimals.net/dashain-festival-nepal.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Thousands of animals are traded to sacrifice for meat.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-10-12 |title=Dashain And Climate Change - It's Better to Stop Eating Meat |url=https://wapnepal.com.np/dashain-climate-change/ |access-date=2023-10-08 |website=Wap Nepal |language=en-US}}</ref> Animal-welfare activists have called for the use of pumpkins and coconuts instead of birds and animals.<ref name="globalvoices1">{{cite web |url=https://globalvoices.org/2010/10/21/debating-animal-cruelty-during-nepals-dashain-festival/ |title=Debating Animal Cruelty During Nepal's Dashain Festival · Global Voices |publisher=Globalvoices.org |date=21 October 2010 |access-date=11 November 2015 |archive-date=16 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116020838/https://globalvoices.org/2010/10/21/debating-animal-cruelty-during-nepals-dashain-festival/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

National figures and animal-rights activists have expressed concern about [[Cruelty to animals|animal cruelty]] during Dashain. On 3 October 2016, Nepali comedian [[Hari Bansha Acharya]] wrote a satirical piece for ''[[Saptahik]]'' entitled "''Euta Khasiko Aatmakatha''" ("Autobiography of a Goat") in light of the exploitation of animals during the festival.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|title=एउटा खसीको आत्मकथा|trans-title=Autobiography of a Goat|url=http://nepal.ekantipur.com/news/2016-10-03/20161003140201.html|website=Nepal Saptahik|language=ne|publisher=[[Kantipur Publications]]|access-date=9 October 2016|date=3 October 2016|archive-date=6 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006090033/http://nepal.ekantipur.com/news/2016-10-03/20161003140201.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Indigenous groups (''adivasi janajati'') have said that Dashain is imposed on them by the state. To resist what they see as cultural domination by the Hindu elite who dominate Nepal, several organizations have organized a boycott of the festival. The campaigns have had limited effect, since Dashain and other cultural celebrations are ingrained in Nepalese society.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Hangen|first=Susan|title=Boycotting Dasain: history, memory and ethnic politics in Nepal|url=https://www.academia.edu/811844|journal=Studies in Nepali History and Society|date=January 2005|language=en|access-date=29 March 2017|archive-date=28 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928153720/https://www.academia.edu/811844|url-status=live}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Books===
* {{cite book|author=James G. Lochtefeld|title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: N-Z|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5kl0DYIjUPgC |year=2002|publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group|isbn=0-8239-2287-1}}

==External links==
{{Commonscatinline}}

{{Hindu festivals}}
{{Nepal topics}}

[[Category:Public holidays in Nepal]]
[[Category:Festivals in Nepal]]
[[Category:Culture of Nepal]]
[[Category:Hindu festivals]]
[[Category:Culture of Sikkim]]
[[Category:Public holidays in Bhutan]]
[[Category:Hindu festivals in Nepal]]
[[Category:September observances]]
[[Category:October observances]]

[[fr:Dussehra]]
[[ml:വിജയദശമി]]
[[te:దసరా]]
[[ur:دسہرہ]]