Dashain, also known as Bijaya Dashami, is the longest and most celebrated festival in Nepal, and it holds significant cultural and religious importance for Nepalis worldwide. Much like Durga Puja, Dashain celebrates the triumph of good over evil, marking the victory of the goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. The 15-day long festival is a time for family reunions, rituals and joyous celebrations. Dashain is also popular with the name Bada’dashain and is celebrated by the Hindus of Nepal and other parts of the world, including Lhotshampa of Bhutan and the Burmese Gurkhas of Myanmar. Dashain 2024 starts on October 3 and ends on October 12. In this article we’ll learn about Dashain 2024 dates, significance and puja vidhi.

Dashain 2024 Dates

Dashain 2024 starts on October 3 and ends on October 12. Each day of the 15-day long festival holds special significance. The main Dashain events include Ghatasthapana, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami, and Vijaya Dashami which is the most important day of the festival. On this day, family members seek blessings from elders, and tika (a mixture of rice, jamara, yogurt, and vermilion) is applied to their foreheads. The Dashain 2024 dates are as followed:

  • Day 1 – Ghatasthapana (October 3)

  • Day 8– Maha Saptami/Maha Astami (October 10)

  • Day 9 – Maha Astami/Maha Navami (October 11)

  • Day 10 – Dashami (October 12)

  • Day 14 – Chaturdashi/ Kojagrat Puja (October 16)

Dashain Significance

Dashain celebrates the victory of good over evil, not only in a mythological sense but also as a time to reflect on personal and societal struggles. The word Dashain is derived from the Sanskrit word Dashami, denoting the 10th day of the Kaula month. The festival is also referred to as Nauratha, derived from the Sanskrit word of the same festival, Navaratri, which means ‘Nine Nights.’ The version of the festival is celebrated in Navratri, Dussehra, and Dashera in India.

The 15-day festival highlights family bonds, community unity and devotion to divine powers. It is a time when people visit their ancestral homes, engage in prayers, offer sacrifices, and celebrate with loved ones.

During the festival, goddess Durga is worshipped in her various forms during the festival, representing strength, protection and the destruction of evil forces. Dashain is also associated with prosperity, as many Nepalis buy new clothes, repair their homes, and prepare for the agricultural harvest season.

Dashain Puja Vidhi

Ghatasthapana is an important day as it marks the beginning of Dashain. The day is also known as the Sowing Jamara Day. On this day, Kalash is installed in the puja room which symbolises Goddess Durga. It is filled with holy water, covered with cow dung and sewn with barley and other grain seeds. The Kalash is placed in the Puja room at the centre of the rectangular sand block. These seed sprout grow into yellow grass in the next ten days. This sacred glass is called jamara. Vijaya Dashami is the most significant day of the 15-day festival. Vijaya Dashami Tika is perfomed on the same day with elders putting tika and jamara on the forehead of youngsters to bless them with abundance.

Dashain 2024 is a religious festival in Nepal that also celebrates family, culture, and tradition. The 15-day festival is filled with prayers, rituals, and blessings, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. As people come together to celebrate, Dashain reminds them of the importance of family, unity, and spiritual reflection.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 01, 2024 10:12 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).