Dashain - India
Thu, Oct 2, 2025

Dashain

Dashain is the most important holiday of the year in Nepal and Bhutan for both Buddhists and Hindus. It takes place in September or October after the rice harvest and lasts for 15 days. Locals eagerly await this festival, and tourists often plan trips to experience the unique religious celebrations in person. If you want to be part of this tradition, read on!

History

Dashain traces its roots to Hindu mythology, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil—either the Goddess Durga’s victory over the demon Mahishasura or the defeat of the demon king Ravana by Rama with Durga’s blessing. Throughout the festival, family members from near and far reunite to celebrate and strengthen their bonds.

Interesting Facts

In Nepal and Bhutan, many people live in poverty, and Dashain is a time when some can enjoy meat and receive new clothes for the only time all year. The festival is a tradition that brings joy, hope, and a sense of renewal to many families.

How to Take Part

  • On the first day, a Kalash pot filled with holy water is placed in a special room, and grains of rice or barley are planted inside. These sprout over a week, symbolizing a good harvest for the coming year.
  • The seventh day marks the start of the main festivities, including a procession of the Kalash pot through the city with music.
  • The eighth day is a day of fasting and ritual animal sacrifices at the temple of the goddess. Prasad is prepared from the meat, believed to bring blessings and prosperity.
  • Sacrifices continue on the ninth day, with families visiting temples to pray to the goddess Taleju.
  • On the tenth day, women prepare a mixture of yogurt, rice, and vermilion (red pigment) to apply to the foreheads of the youngest family members for five days, wishing them prosperity and wealth in the year ahead.
  • On the fifteenth and final day, it is traditional not to sleep, in hopes of receiving a blessing from the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi.

When is Dashain in 2025?

Weekday Month Day Year
Thursday October 2 2025
Tuesday October 20 2026
Saturday October 9 2027
Wednesday October 25 2028
Sunday October 14 2029

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