Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The biggest and longest festival in Nepalese culture, Dashain lasts
15 days and commemorates the victory of the gods over demons.
On the tenth day, family elders bless their relatives by applying
tikas,
ceremonial red spots, on the foreheads of everyone in the family.
select one or more gods or goddesses as a special family deity
for daily worship. Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva are the main gods.
Krishna, Rama, Devi Durga, Kali, Laxmi, and Sarashwati are the
other forms of gods and goddesses. Laxmi is the goddess of
wealth, and Sarashwati is the goddess of learning. Vishnu is the
preserver of all creatures, and he is believed to have 10 different
incarnations, including Rama, Krishna, and Buddha. Each deity
or god receives a special form of worship, which is celebrated as
a festival. There are many such occasions each year.
Dashain is Nepal's most important festival. It is celebrated
by Hindus during the autumn as a day of victory over demons.
In general, Dashain is celebrated for 15 days. The first nine
days are called Navaratri, a period of worship during which
gods are called upon to assist in the battle against demons.
