Dashain Festival:
A look into the history and celebration of the Dashain festival in Nepal

By Timothy J. Coughlin

English 191

Dr. Roland Sphect-Jarvis

December 12, 2011

Coming from America we have few national holidays, even fewer holidays that are religiously influenced. In contrast Nepal has many national holidays most of them religious in nature. The Dashain festival in particular is the largest and most celebrated festival in Nepal. For fifteen days Nepalese people celebrate the triumph of good over evil. One story depicts the battle between the Goddess Durga and the powerful devil Mahishasura. The battle ends with the Goddess Durga being the victor.

Throughout this paper I will explore the Dashain festival and its importance to the Nepalese people. But, in order to fully understand Dashain and its importance we first need to look at its history and examine the legends behind the demon Mahishasura and the Goddess Durga. I will examine how these two characters came into existence and also their significance to the Dashain festival. I will then explore the important days of the celebration and rituals the Nepalese people perform in order to honor the Goddess Durga during Dashain. Then finally I’ll explain why Dashain is one of the most important festivals to the Nepalese and their culture.

First an exploration into the events that led up to the celebration of the Dashain festival.

The history of the Dashain festival is told one of two ways. The first story describes the victory of lord Ram, and how he defeated the master of all demons; Ravana. The story I’m going to focus on involves the Goddess Durga and her battle with the demon Mahishasura.

The legend of Mahishasura starts with two brothers Karambha and Rambha who performed rituals in an attempt to gain more power. Karambha stood in water up to his neck and his brother stood among five ritual fires. These acts made the god Indra feel threatened, so he took the form of a crocodile and killed Karambha. When Rambha learned of his brother’s murder, he performed his rituals more intensely, winning more favors and blessings from the gods such as intelligence and invincibility. The blessing of invincibility was under the conditions that he could not be killed by gods, humans, or demons. Please note that this blessing did not prevent him from being killed by an animal. Rambha, unable to cope with the death of his brother, decided to commit suicide. The god of fire, Agni, of whom Rambha earned his blessings appeared and asked Rambha what it would take to prevent him from killing himself. Rambha asked for a son that could not be killed by any man or god.

Rambha later fell in love with a princess, Shyamala, who was cursed to live as a female water buffalo. Rambha, wanting to be with his new love, took the form of a male water buffalo. Upon consummating their union Shyamala became pregnant with a son. Awhile later another male water buffalo challenged Rambha, killing him. Princess Shyamala grieving the death of her husband decided to kill herself and dove into Rambha’s funeral fire. Because the promise of god Agni had not yet been fulfilled, a demon with the head of a buffalo and the body of a man rose from the funeral fire. This demon was called Mahishasura. (Khanna)

Mahishasura empowered with Agni’s promise of invincibility, conquered earth and then turned his focus on heaven. Mahishasura and his demon army drove all of the angles and gods from heaven. He then became Indra; the lord of all gods. (Dutt, 1896)

The gods that were expelled from heaven went to the god Brahma, ‘The creator’. They told him of the actions of Mahishasura. Brahma then led them before the other gods of the Trimutri; Vishnu the god of preservation and Shiva the god of destruction. The Three gods then met in conclave to discuss the situation. Vishnu and Shiva knew that Mahishasura could only be killed by a woman. The Trimutri decided to combine their powers to create a goddess. This goddess was named Durga.

The Goddess Durga was a sight to behold. She was created with a thousand arms. Normally she is depicted with eight to ten which represent the direction and extent of her protective powers throughout the universe. She was also given three eyes. Each of her eyes a representative of the three gods that created her. The left eye represents the moon or preservation. The right eye represents the sun or creation and finally the middle eye which represents fire and destruction.

In each of her many hands she held the weapons given to her by the gods who created her. In one hand she held Lord Shiva’s trident to destroy the sadness and fear. In another she carried a conch shell given to her by Lord Varun. This conch was used to declare battle. She also carried a bow and some arrows given to her by the Lords Vayu and Surya which represent the suns power. She was given a lightning bolt to represent strength and focus which was given by Lord Indra and a lotus flower to represent her purity. She also carried a discus to represent harmony and this was given to her by the nine incarnations of Lord Vishnu.

Lord Agai, the god responsible for the creation of Mahishasura, gave Durga his spear. She carried a noose given by the god of death, a club from the god of wealth, a water pot from Brahma, a sword from the god of time. She was also given metal armor and an axe from Lord Vishwakarma. (Goddess Durga, 2011)

Durga was also given a lion by the Himalaya Mountain. Durga is depicted riding this beast to represent the unlimited and violent power that she possesses. This animal also represents her power to destroy the forces that cause fear.

The Goddess Durga, armed with many weapons, endless fury, and the combined powers of the gods was sent forth to kill the demon Mahishasura. Durga and her army first encountered Mahishasura’s demon army. The sight of the goddess and her vast army struck fear in the demons hearts and they were easily overtaken by her great power. His armies in ruins; Mahishasura took the form of a demonic water buffalo. Mahishasura struck Durga’s forces with his great horns, lashing them with his tail. This attack left many of Durga’s forces dead or wounded.

Durga’s lion attacked Mahishasura distracting him long enough for Durga to ensnare him with her noose, killing his buffalo form. Mahishasura then changed into a lion but Durga quickly beheaded him. Frightened, Mahishasura then changed into a man as he attempted to escape. The enraged Durga then shot at the demon with her many arrows, but he managed to escape. This time he assumed the form of a giant elephant and struck her lion with his mighty tusk. Now Durga was even more furious than before destroyed the tusk with her great sword.

This battle continued on for ten days until Mahishasura took his original form of a water buffalo. He took refuge in the mountains where he defended himself by throwing large boulders at Durga. Durga unfazed by this attack quickly pinned Mahishasura to the ground, piercing him with the trident. She then lifted him by his head and with her sword beheaded him. The battle was over. (Mythology of Durga Puja, 2011)

After exploring the history behind the Dashain festival it is easy to see why the Nepalese take such great care in honoring and worshiping the Goddess Durga. Next we will examine the preparation and rituals the Nepalese perform in order to celebrate this great victory.

To prepare for the Dashain festival houses are cleaned and painted. This is done to make their homes more inviting to the Goddess Durga. In hope that she will visit their homes and then they may receive her blessings and good fortune. Since almost all of the stores and services in Nepal are closed for ten to fifteen days during the festival most of the Nepalese markets are filled with shoppers who are purchasing new clothing and supplies for the 15 days of celebration.

Thousands of animals are also prepared for slaughter. The animals such as sheep, goats, chickens, ducks, and water buffalo are believed to be the vessels of demons, and the sacrifice is believed to symbolize the destruction of evil. The appropriateness of these animal sacrifices is currently being debated in Nepal. Some groups believe the Goddess Durga who symbolizes motherly love is not pleased by destruction of her creatures. This practice is currently not an issue outside of Nepal because Dashain celebrations in the United States and Europe do not include the practice of animal sacrifices. (Debating Animal Cruelty During Nepal's Dashain Festival, 2010)

The first nine days of celebration pay tribute to the Goddess Durga because she is the source of everything, and the last 5 days are spent celebrating the destruction of evil with family and friends.

Day 1 – Ghatasthapana

The First day of significance during Dashain is called Ghatasthapana which means establishing a pot. The Nepalese people will place a pot or a holy water vessel in their prayer room. This pot called a Kalash is used to symbolize the Goddess Durga, the pot is then filled with holy water, covered with cow manure, and decorated with barley seed. The kalash is then placed at the center of a small block made out of sand which is also planted with the barley seeds. The resulting plant is called Jamara, and it represents a good harvest for the Nepalese people. (We all Nepali, 2011)

Day 7 – Fulpati

The seventh day of Dashain is the next significant day. This day is celebrated by delivering Fulpati, sacred flowers and leaves, and other items used in the tika to the Nepalese leaders. Prior to 2008 the Fulpati was delivered to the royal family, because of the fall of the monarchy the Fulpati has since been delivered to the Nepalese prime minister. The Fulpati is delivered via a parade that started three days earlier. The parade travels on foot over 160 kilometers. (The Kathmandu Post, 2011) The procession starts in Gorkha which is the location of the ancestral home of the royal family to Durbar Square in Kathmandu. The Fulpati procession is intercepted in the city of Jamal by six priests or Brahmins. The Brahmins add holy water, sugarcane, and banana stalks to the Fulpati. The parade continues until they reach Durbar Square where they are met high ranking officials, Nepalese military. While the festival starts on Ghasthapana; Fulpati marks the official day of celebrations. From this day all government and private offices are closed to encourage people to return to their families and take blessings from their elders.

Day 8 – Asthami

The eighth day of Dashain called Maha Astami. This day is marked by the sacrifice of thousands of animals to appease one of the manifestations of the Goddess Durga. The sacrifices take place in front of all of the government offices and in almost every home in Nepal. On this day most streets and temple floors are covered in the blood of the slaughtered animals. The Nepalese people will then celebrate by consuming large quantities of meat. This day is also called Kal Ratri or Black Night, because the sacrifices will continue until dawn of the ninth day.

Asthami is one of the most controversial days for some in Nepal because of the number of animals being slaughtered. Some Nepalese forgo the animal sacrifice and instead symbolically sacrifice gourds, because they believe that the Goddess Durga is not pleased by the destruction of her creation. (Debating Animal Cruelty During Nepal's Dashain Festival, 2010)

Day 9 – Nawam

The ninth day of Dashain called Mahanavami is celebrated by opening Taleju temple to the public. Thousands of Nepalese visit this temple on this day because it is the only time of the year when the temple is open to the public.

This day is also marked by the official sacrifices performed by the Nepalese army when fifty-five black water buffalo are sacrificed to the Goddess Durga in the royal square of Kathmandu. Another official sacrifice will take place in the city of Bhaktapur, when a single buffalo will be offered to the nine manifestations of the Goddess Durga. This special buffalo is called ‘Khamay’. To prepare this animal for sacrifice it will be bathed in a stream that flows near the Brahmani temple and then shepherded into the temple square where it will be sacrificed to the goddesses later that evening to symbolize the death of Mahishasura.

It is also common to see Nepalese make sacrifices to their machinery, tools, and vehicles used at their homes and businesses. While it is common to see animal used in this ritual; some perform the sacrifice using eggs. These sacrifices are done in order honor the god of creativity; Sarasvati. The Nepalese believe by making these sacrifices it will please Sarasvati and this will bring them safety in the coming year. (Ninth Day of Dashain Festival, 2011)

Day 10 – Vijaya Dashami (main day)

The tenth day of Dashain is called Vijaya Dashami which means “Great Victory” is the main day of Dashain celebration. This day marks the day Durga defeated Mahishasura, the end of their ten day battle. On this day the Nepalese will perform additional sacrifices to the Goddess Durga. They will also visit their ancestral homes to receive tika and blessings from the elders in their family. The younger family members will also receive small amounts of money and gifts from the elders during this time. The Nepalese will continue to receive tika and blessings for the remaining five days of the festival.

The fifteenth day of Dashain is called Kojagrat Purnima. During Kojagrat Purnima the Nepalese people worship the goddess of wealth and prosperity; Mahalaxmi. They will stay up all night singing songs and gambling with the belief that she will visit them while they are awake to bless them with wealth and prosperity. (Nepal Mountain News, 2011) This is also the last day of the Dashain festival.

Now that we’ve explored the history and the rituals of the Dashain festival; let’s look at why the Dashain festival is so important to Nepalese people.

The main significance of the Dashain festival is the worship of the Goddess Durga, and to celebrate her victory over evil. The word Durga means fort, a protected place that offers protection from enemies. Goddess Durga is also known as the Mother Goddess or the Devine mother. She is the mother of the whole universe. To the Nepalese Goddess Durga represents strength, compassion, protection. The Nepalese respect and honor her so she will offer mercy from their sufferings, and protection from the evil in their lives. While the Divine mother I the goddess of love and compassion she also has a darker side; the Goddess Kali is the most demonic and blood thirsty form of Durga. She represents death and many of the festivals animal sacrifices are performed to appease her.

The Dashain festival is much like the Christian holiday of Christmas. The Nepalese will extensively clean and then decorate their homes. They will go shopping and purchase new clothing and gifts; often times spending too much. For those who cannot afford to purchase gifts for everyone in their family, will at a minimum purchase gifts for their children. Dashain is also a time when many workers will receive a bonus from their employers. This bonus is often equal to a month’s wages. This festival is also a time of feasting; the Nepalese will consume large quantities of meat mainly goat. In Nepal meat is expensive so the families who usually go without it for the majority of the year will purchase a goat to enjoy during this time.

The Nepalese will also return to their home villages to spend time with their families, exchange gifts, and more feasting. While they are visiting their families they will receive tika from an elder member of the family. The tika blessing starts with the oldest member blessing the youngest member first. The tika is a red powder made from sandalwood, clay, and ash. It is used to represent a third eye that is often depicted on the gods and goddesses. Hindu’s believe that we were given two eyes to see the physical world and the third eye is for their soul so that is may see spiritual reality. (Dasa, 2007)

For the Nepalese children Dashain is a time to receive gifts from their parents and grandparents. The children also spend this time having kite battles with their friends and neighbors. The purpose of these battles is to crash the other kite. These kite battles are serious business and according to Puspak the children will use special kite strings that are coated with ground glass to make the strings more abrasive. The glass dust strengthens the kite string and it also makes it easier for their kite string cut through the strings of their competitor’s kites. There is even an official kite flying competition called Changa Chait.

The Dashain festival has something for everyone to enjoy, making it easy to understand why it is one of the most anticipated festivals of the year. Dashain is a joyous celebration that honors the Goddess Durga, brings families together. Mainly the Dashain festival is the time of year when Nepalese from all over the world and across Nepal can step back from their daily lives and celebrate their culture as a nation.

So, in conclusion the Dashain festival is a time for the Nepalese people to forget about their daily struggles and celebrate their culture as a nation. It marks the destruction of evil and it should now be clear after exploring the legends why the Nepalese people take such care in the preparations and performance of this significant event. The Dashain festival is a time when the Nepalese people join in the worship their Goddess Durga; recognizing her power to overcome the evils in their lives. They use this time to reconnect with their families, traditions, and enjoy their many blessings. Namaste.

Bibliography

(2011, 10 04). Retrieved 11 26, 2011, from The Kathmandu Post: http://www.ekantipur.com/the-kathmandu-post/2011/10/03/top-story/fulpati-observed-as-dashain-proper-begins/226961.html

(2011, 10 11). Retrieved 11 28, 2011, from Nepal Mountain News: http://www.nepalmountainnews.com/cms/?p=40220

Dasa, S. N. (2007). Religious Marks. (Sanskrit Religions Institute) Retrieved 12 7, 2011, from Devasthanam: http://www.sanskrit.org/www/Hindu%20Primer/religiousmarks.html

Debating Animal Cruelty During Nepal's Dashain Festival. (2010, 10 21). Retrieved 11 25, 2011, from English Global Voices: http://globalvoicesonline.org/2010/10/21/debating-animal-cruelty-during-nepals-dashain-festival/

(1896). In M. N. Dutt, Markandeya Puranam (pp. 140-152). Calcutta: Elypsium Press.

Goddess Durga. (2011). Retrieved from Trinetra: http://www.trinetra.org.uk/#/goddess-durga-symbolism/4544724732

Khanna, D. R. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/tag/mahishasura-the-demon/

Mythology of Durga Puja. (2011). Retrieved 11 27, 2011, from Durga Puja: http://www.durga-puja.org/mythology.html

Ninth Day of Dashain Festival. (2011, 10 9). Retrieved 11 28, 2011, from The Kathmandu Metro: http://66.7.193.115:8080/kathmandumetro/news/ninth-day-of-dashain-festival

Roy, C. (2005). Traditional Festivals: a Multicultural Encyclopedia. Vol. 2. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO.

We all Nepali. (2011). Retrieved 11 26, 2011, from http://www.weallnepali.com/hamro-nepal/ghatasthapana

Tim Coughlin's
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Thursday, December 15, 2011

Final Paper

Final Paper: Dashain Festival: A look into the history and celebration of the Dashain festival in Nepal

Bibliography

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Final paper outline