“The socio-cultural importance of
Dashain”
Dashain is
the biggest festival that Nepal Observe every year a wonderful socio-cultural
celebration that allows people time to time reunites and refresh. Socially the
same festival is celebrated for 15 days where different cultural rituals take
place every day. The Hindu society of Nepal gives huge Priority to this
festival. Dashain is the grand celebration from the first day to the fifteenth
day.
Culturally Dashain festival
signifies the victory of truth and the inspection of happiness. Dashain
generally falls on the month of Ashoj (October). Every day has special rituals
and activities to be performed. Socio Culturally the festival starts from
Ghatasthapana and ends at Vijaya Dashami. On Ghatasthapana people sow rice and
barely seeds on the pious corner of their house to grow seedling called Jamara.
The seventh day Phulpati,
traditionally on this day the royal Kalash, banana stick, Jamara and sugarcane
is carried from Gorkha to Kathmandu by Brahmins. The Eighth day is called as
the bloody day of the festival. In this day people cut off the head of 108 goat
and 8 buffaloes at the courtyard near the durbar square. Those meats were
bought I home and taken as “Parshad”. The ninth day is known a as “Maha
Navami”. This day is known as the demon hunting day because member of the
defeated demon army try to save themselves by hiding in the bodies of animal
and fowls. The tenth day is called as “Vijaya Dashami”. On this day tika is
prepared along with Jamara. Elder put tika and Jamara (shown on Ghatsthapna) on
the forehead of younger relative to bless them with abundance in upcoming year.
Dashain festival is purely a religious celebration. The festival is observed as
the victory of truth (goddess) over the devil.
Dashain festival is purely a
religious celebration. This is the festival is observed as the victory of truth
(goddess) over the devil in ten-day battle. During Navaratri almost all the
temple over the country get animal sacrifice. This symbolize the battle between
goddess and devil. As the goddess comes victorious over the devil on the tenth
day. So, it is observed as the great joy and happiness. Socio Culturally the
victory celebration goes until fifteenth day.
Although the festival has rich
cultural importance it also has great religious importance. The Hindus in Nepal
consider this festival as occasion to bring people together. The Nepalese
people living and working in the different part of the world return back to
their home in Dashain to be with their family. Dashain festival is also an
occasion when you enjoy the cultural impression as traveller it’s certainly a
great chance to see and experience thee Nepalese life and culture from close.
Enthusiastic Nepalese often
celebrate Dashain festival to celebrate the victory of truth. Dashain has
emphasized the importance of family reunion which is helpful to ease social
contradiction. All the government agencies, educational institution and other
public sectors are closed down during the festival period so as the worker can
stay with their family member and increase the happiness among families during
the festival. So, it is said that the festival Dashain has the religious and
cultural and social importance. It is an occasion of peace and goodwill.
Despite this, Dashain has dark
side too. Numerous birds, animals are killed mercifully. People engaged
themselves in taking drinks, different beverage and gambling and so on. Some
people even celebrate in an expensive and pompous style being in prolonged
debt. Due to which social hazard may takes place. This may create a sadful
movement for the people who can’t afford all the luxurious event. There is a
popular saying in Nepali society “!!! आयो दशैं ढोल बजाइ, गयो दशैं ऋण बोकाई !!!”. So Dashain is just a
festival so everyone should make expenses according to their capacity. This
will help to make people of all class happy during this great Festival.