Different Shades Of Dashain Celebration

Known with different names like, ‘Vijaya Dashami’, or ‘Dussehra’ or ‘Durgotsav’ or Navratri, or 'Dashain', ‘Dussehra’ is amongst the most significant Hindu festival.

The name Dussehra is derived from Sanskrit word “Dasha-hara”, which literally means Dashanan Ravan (Name of the devil mentioned in the epic – Ramayana) and Hara (defeat). Actually, it referred to Lord Rama’s victory over the ten headed demon king Ravana. This holy period also marks the celebration of victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasur, she fought with evils for 9 nights and 10 days, therefore the name Vijaya Dashami is derived from the Sanskrit words “Vijaya Dashami”.

When Nepal is celebrating 'Dashain', Dussehra is celebrated in same period in India, southern plains of Nepal and some other parts of the world adopting different ritual though the mythology is similar. Here we are trying to explore the celebration in different parts of the world.

Dashain in Nepal

Dashain is Nepali biggest festival with its uniqueness and acceptability among almost all Nepali rather than being just a Hindu festival. Among the Newars, it is referred to as ‘Mohani’. If Dashain had been a festival for Hindus only in general, we would have seen Hindus of other parts of the world celebrating it with Tika & Jamara & play with swing prepared by using green Bamboo trunk, called "Linge Ping". The 10th day of Dashain is Vijaya Dashami; on which elders put Tika and Jamara on the forehead of younger members of the family. Jamara (sprout of paddy, maize) is sown on the first day of the festival which becomes greenish yellow of about 10–20 cm length symbolizing symbol of victory. Depending upon the relationship, people offer and receive ‘Dakshina’ after Tika and Jamara. This particular way of celebrating Dashain can be found in Sikkim, Darjeeling, Assam, Nainital, Dehradun, Myanmar apart from Nepal.