Topic:
The history and significance of the Dashain festival.
I. Introduction
In America we have few national holidays and even fewer that are religiously influenced. IIn 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. And then finally why Dashain is one of the most important festivals to the Nepalese and their culture.
II. Body
a. History of the Dashain festival
i. The legend of Mahishasura
ii. The war in Heaven
iii. The legend of Durga
iv. The 10 day battle
b. Key days of Celebration
i. Preparations
1. Cleaning and painting
2. New purchases
ii. Day 1 – Ghatasthapana (establishing a pot)
iii. Day 7 – Fulpati
1. Delivering the Fulpati
a. Items
b. 160 km parade on foot
2. Government offices closed.
iv. Day 8 – Asthami
1. Sacrifice
a. Appease Durga
b. Controversy
2. Black night
v. Day 9 – Nawam
1. Official Sacrifices
a. Royal Square in Kathmandu
b. Bhaktapur
2. Sacrifice to the god of creativity
vi. Day10 – Vijaya Dashami
1. Main Celebration day
a. Great Victory
b. Family
i. Gifts
ii. Tika
iii. Blessings
vii. Day 15 – Kojagrat Purnima
1. Awake all night
2. Last Day of Celebrations
c. Significance to the Nepalese people and their culture
i. Worsip Durga
ii. Celebrate the victory of good over evil
1. Nepali all across Nepal and around the globe
2. From all social castes
iii. Like Christmas in Nepal
1. Visiting Family
a. Tika (the mind’s eye)
b. Blessings
c. Gifts
2. Time away from work.
iv.
III. Conclusion
After exploring the legend behind the goddess Durga, it should be clear why the Nepalese people take such care in preparing and performing the daily rituals in order to honor and celebrate this important event in Nepalese culture. If we Americans celebrated our 5 holidays with the fervent passion of the Nepalese we may find ourselves coming together as a nation.
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