What Makes the Dashain Festival in Nepal Special?

Dashain (also called Bada Dashain or Vijaya Dashami) is Nepal’s biggest Hindu festival, a 15-day celebration in September–October. It marks the goddess Durga’s victory over the demon Mahishasura, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.

Importance of Dashain in Nepalese Culture

Dashain celebrates the victory of good over evil. But it is also about family, blessings, and starting fresh. During these two week/festival, people clean their homes, wear new clothes, and travel long distances to be with their elders.

The festival brings everyone together, rich or poor, young or old, from any caste or community. It is one of the few times when social boundaries really fade, and everyone celebrates as one.

And for Nepalis living abroad, Dashain is even more meaningful. It is a chance to reconnect with roots, receive blessings from parents and grandparents, and pass traditions to the next generation.

The act of receiving tika and jamara from elders is not just a ritual; it is a reminder to respect your family and keep your culture alive.

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When is Dashain Celebrated in Nepal?

Dashain falls in the Nepali month of Ashwin or Kartik, which usually means September or October in the Gregorian calendar. The exact dates change every year because the festival follows the lunar calendar.

In 2026, Dashain starts on October 11 and ends on October 25, with the main Tika day on October 21. The festival lasts 15 days, from Ghatasthapana to Kojagrat Purnima.

Religious History of Dashain Festival

Nobody knows exactly when Dashain started, but the stories behind it go back thousands of years. There are two main legends that explain why Dashain is celebrated.

1. Goddess Durga

The oldest story is about Goddess Durga and the demon Mahishasura. According to Hindu mythology, Mahishasura had terrorized the gods and taken over heaven. Mahishasura could not be defeated by any male because of a divine boon (a wish or blessing) granted by Lord Brahma, the creator god in Hindu mythology.

Since no male god could overcome him, the gods combined their energies to create Goddess Durga. She fought Mahishasura for nine days, and on the tenth day, she finally defeated him. That is why the first nine days of Dashain are called Navaratri (nine nights), and the tenth day is Vijaya Dashami (victory on the tenth day).

Durga is shown as a warrior goddess riding a tiger, holding weapons from all the male gods. She is worshipped in nine different forms during Dashain, and people offer sacrifices to honor her power.

2. King Rama

The second story comes from the ancient Hindu epic, the Ramayana. It tells the tale of Lord Rama, the prince of Ayodhya, whose wife Sita was abducted by the demon king Ravana of Lanka.

To rescue her, Rama waged war against Ravana and his powerful army. Before the final battle, Rama prayed to Goddess Durga for strength and blessings, as she is the source of divine power.

With Durga's blessings, Rama defeated Ravana on the tenth day of the lunar month, which coincides with Vijaya Dashami.

This victory of righteousness over evil is celebrated during Dashain, especially in the Terai region of Nepal and northern India, where people perform Ravana Dahan, burning large effigies of Ravana to symbolize the destruction of evil.

Important Days during Dashain Festival in Nepal

Dashain unfolds over fifteen days, and every day matters in its own way. Some days bring large public rituals and celebrations, while others are quieter but still important for families and temples.

Day 1: Ghatasthapana

Dashain begins with Ghatasthapana, which means "placing the pot." This ritual marks the start of the 15-day festival and involves setting up a kalasha (holy pot) filled with water, barley seeds, and cow dung.

The kalasha symbolizes Goddess Durga and is placed in a special prayer room called the Dashain Ghar.

The family performs a puja to worship Goddess Durga and invite her presence into the kalasha. Some families invite a priest to conduct the ritual, while others perform it themselves.

The Dashain Ghar is traditionally closed to outsiders and kept away from direct sunlight. The kalasha is worshipped twice daily, in the morning and evening, and the barley seeds are carefully watered.

Over the next nine days, the seeds sprout into five- or six-inch-long yellow grass known as jamara.

This sacred grass is later used in the tika ceremony on Bijaya Dashami as a symbol of prosperity and divine blessing. Daily worship continues throughout Navaratri, and by the tenth day, the jamara is ready to be distributed as prasad during the tika ceremony.

Dashain begins with Ghatasthapana, which means placing a Kalasha (a traditional pot) that symbolizes the goddess Durga. This is the day when the Jamara (seedlings) are planted inside a room. The seeds used are barley, maize, paddy, etc. The Jamara is worshipped for nine days and used for worship on the tenth day. 

Day 7: Phulpati

Phulpati means "flowers and leaves," and it is celebrated on the seventh day of Dashain. On this day, households and temples receive offerings of flowers, sacred leaves, banana stalks, and jamara. The national Phulpati procession brings the holy kalasha, jamara, banana stalks, and sugarcane tied with red cloth from Gorkha Durbar to Kathmandu. 

Traditionally, this was a three-day walk covering about 169 kilometers, but today the ritual assistants carry the palanquin on foot for a short symbolic distance to Sattipipal in Gorkha before it is transferred onto an official vehicle and driven to Kathmandu on the same day.

In Kathmandu, hundreds of formally dressed government officials, diplomats, and high-ranking military and police personnel gather at Tundikhel for the grand Phulpati Badhai military parade. 

The President attends as the guest of honor and head of state. The Nepali Army performs ceremonial rifle and cannon salutes, followed by a military parade. 

The Phulpati is then received and consecrated at the Dashain Ghar in Hanuman Dhoka Durbar. In villages and towns across Nepal, people carry decorated bundles of flowers and plants to local temples, singing and playing traditional Naumati instruments along the way.

Day 8: Maha Astami

Maha Astami is dedicated to Kali, the fiercest form of Goddess Durga. This is one of the most intense days of the festival, marked by animal sacrifices in temples throughout Nepal.

The night of Maha Astami is called Kalaratri, or “Black Night,” and special midnight worship is performed at Hanuman Dhoka in Kathmandu.

In Kathmandu, these intense rituals unfold at major temples and within historic state courtyards, most notably inside the Hanuman Dhoka Palace complex at Kathmandu Durbar Square, where the highly publicized state-sponsored sacrifices take place.

At Hanuman Dhoka, the midnight Kalaratri ritual traditionally includes the sacrifice of 54 buffaloes and 54 goats.

Once the blood of those sacrifices is offered to the goddesses, the meat is then taken home, cooked as prasad (blessed food), and distributed among the family. Eating this food is considered auspicious. The Newar people also observe Khadga Puja on this day, worshipping their weapons and receiving blessings from elders.

Day 9: Maha Navami

Maha Navami is the ninth day of Dashain and the final day of Navaratri. It is another major day of worship and animal sacrifice, with special rituals held at the Dashain Ghar, Kot courtyard, temples, and other shrines.

At Hanuman Dhoka, special worship and animal sacrifices are performed as part of the Maha Navami observances.

The historic Taleju Temple in Kathmandu Durbar Square opens to the public only once a year on Maha Navami, drawing thousands of devotees who come to pay their respects.

Artisans, craftsmen, traders, drivers, and mechanics also worship the tools, equipment, machinery, and vehicles they use in their work. Security organisations perform similar rituals for weapons, equipment, and vehicles.

In households that follow animal-sacrifice traditions, goat meat is prepared as part of the Dashain feast, and the ceremonies and rituals reach their peak.

Day 10: Bijaya Dashami

Bijaya Dashami is the heart of Dashain and the most important day of the festival. On this day, a mixture of rice, yogurt, and vermilion is prepared, known as tika. 

Elders apply this tika and place jamara on the foreheads of younger relatives, offering blessings for health, success, and long life. 

Younger people touch the feet or knees of their elders as a sign of respect. Among some Kirat communities, white tika is used instead of the red tika, reflecting their own cultural traditions. 

Families move from house to house, exchanging tika, good wishes, and often small gifts of money called dakshina. Streets fill with people in new clothes, their foreheads marked with bright red tika. 

Red symbolizes the blood that ties the family and community together. The tika ceremony continues for five more days after Bijaya Dashami, and people visit relatives, share meals, and celebrate together.

Day 11 to 14: Family Visits and Blessings

The days after Bijaya Dashami are quieter but still important. The eleventh day is known as Papakunsha Ekadashi, when some people fast while others continue visiting relatives and receiving tika.

It is a traditional practice to listen to Papakunsha Ekadashi stories and visit religious sites on this day. Donating objects such as gold, sesame, barley, grain, soil, umbrellas, and shoes is believed to lead to heaven after death.

Families continue visiting relatives, receiving tika, and sharing meals. Some people fast or visit temples, while others use the time to relax after the main celebrations. These days are more relaxed, with families enjoying meals together, playing cards, and flying kites.

Day 15: Kojagrat Purnima

Dashain ends on Kojagrat Purnima, the full-moon night. "Kojagrat" means "who is awake."

It is believed that Goddess Laxmi, the deity of wealth, descends to earth on this night and blesses those who stay awake. Families gather to play cards, share sweets, and stay up late under the bright autumn moon.

Activities on this night include playing cards, drinking milk, and celebrating under the full moon. It is a gentle, reflective end to a long and lively festival.

The literal meaning of Kojagrat is "who is awake," and Laxmi is worshipped because it is believed that she showers whoever is awake all night with prosperity.

How do People Celebrate the Dashain Festival in Nepal?

Dashain is not just about rituals. It is about how people live during those fifteen days. Here are some of the most visible and meaningful ways Nepalis celebrate.

1. Family Reunions

Dashain is the biggest family reunion of the year. People working in cities or abroad make a point of returning to their ancestral homes. Houses that stay quiet most of the year suddenly fill with cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. For many, it is the only time of the year when everyone is together.

2. Flying Kites

Look up during Dashain, and you can see kites everywhere. Children and adults alike fly colourful kites from rooftops, shouting “Changa chet!” when they cut another kite’s string. Traditionally, kite flying is also a message to Indra, the god of rain, that the monsoon is over and no more rain is needed.

3. Swings (Ping)

Bamboo swings, called ping, appear in villages and towns just for Dashain. Some are simple rope swings, while others are tall, hand-built structures that can reach several storeys high. People of all ages take turns swinging, laughing, and enjoying the festival spirit. The swings are put up just before Dashain and taken down after Tihar, the next major festival.

4. New Clothes and Gifts

Buying and wearing new clothes is a key part of Dashain. Shops offer festival discounts, whereas families budget for new outfits, especially for their children.

And as for many Nepalis living or working abroad who cannot make it home will send money or order Dashain gifts online to be delivered to their parents and families in Nepal as a way of showing love from afar.

5. Tika and Jamara

The tika and jamara ceremony is the emotional core of Dashain. Elders bless younger family members with tika on their foreheads and place a sprig of jamara behind their ears. For many Nepalis, receiving tika from a respected elder is one of the most cherished moments of the year.

6. Animal Sacrifice

Animal sacrifice remains an important, though debated, part of Dashain for many Hindus. Goats, buffaloes, ducks and chickens are offered to Goddess Durga in temples and at home. The meat is then cooked and shared as part of the festival feast.

7. Card Games and Gambling

Dashain is one of the few times when card games and light gambling are socially accepted. Families and friends gather to play cards, dice and traditional games late into the night. It is seen less as gambling and more as a festive pastime that brings people together.

8. Visiting Temples and Shrines

Temples see a surge of visitors during Dashain. People offer flowers, rice and prayers to Durga and other deities. In Kathmandu, temples like Pashupatinath, Taleju and various Durga shrines become focal points of worship. In villages, local shrines host small fairs and community pujas.

9. Music and Dance

During Dashain, the sound of “Malshree Dhun” fills the air across Nepal. This traditional Newar music, played on drums, flutes, and cymbals, has become the unofficial soundtrack of the festival. You can hear it blasting from speakers in markets, temples, and homes.

As for the Mithila region of southern Nepal, women perform Jhijhiya, a graceful folk dance where they balance oil lamps on their heads while moving in rhythmic circles. In Kathmandu and Pokhara, modern bands and DJs take over in the evenings, mixing traditional beats with contemporary sounds to keep the celebrations going late into the night.

10. Feasting

No Dashain is complete without food. Families prepare elaborate meals featuring mutton curry, rice, lentils, pickles, and sweets like sel roti and laddu. Feasts are shared with family, neighbours and sometimes even strangers who drop by. For many, the taste of Dashain is the taste of home-cooked food enjoyed with loved ones, and by the end of the festival, most people have gained a few kilos.

Popular Holiday Destinations during Dashain Festival

Dashain falls right at the start of autumn, Nepal’s main trekking season. During this time, the monsoon has cleared, the skies turn blue, the air feels crisp and the mountain views are at their best. Because of the long holiday and the ideal weather, many Nepalis and international visitors use Dashain to travel, whether for short trips or longer treks. Here are some popular options.

1. Kathmandu Valley World Heritage Sites

If you want to experience Dashain at its cultural peak, the Kathmandu Valley is ideal. During the festival, sites like Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, and the durbar squares of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur buzz with devotees, special pujas and festive crowds.

You can witness temple rituals, see families in new clothes moving between homes, and join local feasts. A 5-day Kathmandu Valley World Heritage tour lets you soak in history, architecture and living tradition without needing to trek.

2. Everest Base Camp

The Everest Base Camp Trek (around 14 days, highest point 5,555 m at Kala Patthar) becomes even more special during Dashain. The trail passes through Sherpa villages where families celebrate with tika, special meals and prayers at local monasteries.

Autumn brings stable weather and clear views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam. Trekking during Dashain means you experience both the beauty of the Khumbu and the warmth of festival hospitality in teahouses along the way.

3. Annapurna Base Camp

The Annapurna Base Camp Trek (about 11 days, reaching 4,130 m at ABC) takes you into the Annapurna Sanctuary during prime season. Rhododendron forests may not be in bloom, but the skies are crisp and the mountain views spectacular.

Along the route, Gurung and Magar villages celebrate Dashain with tika, music and feasts. Reaching the sanctuary surrounded by Annapurna I, Machapuchhre and Hiunchuli during the festival adds a spiritual layer to the physical achievement.

4. Annapurna Circuit

The Annapurna Circuit (roughly 14 days, crossing Thorong La Pass at 5,416 m) is one of Nepal’s classic long treks. During Dashain, the trail from the subtropical lowlands up to the high desert of Manang and over Thorong La feels especially rewarding.

You pass through Hindu and Buddhist communities, some of which hold small Dashain celebrations in teahouses. Crossing the pass with clear autumn skies and then descending into the Kali Gandaki Valley is a powerful way to mark the festival.

5. Ghorepani Poon Hill

For a shorter but still memorable option, the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek (around 5 days, highest point 3,210 m at Poon Hill) is perfect. The trail winds through rhododendron forests and traditional Gurung villages, many of which decorate their homes and share festival food with trekkers.

Sunrise from Poon Hill over the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges is breathtaking at any time, but during Dashain it feels like a festival gift: clear air, bright skies and a sense of celebration in the mountains.

6. Ruby Valley

The Ruby Valley Trek (about 7 days, reaching around 3,845 m at Pangsang Pass) offers a quieter, more local experience. Located between Langtang and Manaslu, this region is home to Tamang and Gurung communities who celebrate Dashain in a more intimate setting.

You can stay in homestays, share festival meals with families, and witness traditions that fewer tourists see. Also, the landscape, with terraced fields, forests, and views of Ganesh Himal, adds to the charm of a Dashain spent off the main tourist trails.

Travel with DWT during Dashain Festival

Celebrating Dashain while exploring Nepal’s landscapes creates memories that last far beyond the festival itself. At Discovery World Trekking, we run treks and tours throughout the Dashain period, combining clear autumn weather with rich cultural experiences.

Our local guides understand the significance of Dashain and can help you:

• Join family-style tika ceremonies in villages along the trail
• Visit key temples during special Dashain pujas
• Time your trek to experience both mountain scenery and festival atmosphere
• Adjust itineraries so you do not miss major travel disruptions during peak holiday days

Whether you choose a cultural tour in the Kathmandu Valley, a classic trek to Everest Base Camp or Annapurna, or a quieter route like Ruby Valley, we aim to make your Dashain trip comfortable, meaningful and unforgettable.

If you want to see Nepal’s mountains at their best and experience the country’s biggest festival from the inside, a Dashain trip with DWT is a powerful way to do both.

FAQs

What is the significance of the Dashain Festival in Nepal?
Dashain is Nepal’s most important festival, celebrating the victory of good over evil, particularly the triumph of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura.

When is the Dashain Festival celebrated?
Dashain is celebrated in September or October, depending on the lunar calendar, and lasts for 15 days, making it the longest festival in Nepal.

What are the key rituals performed during Dashain?
The festival includes various rituals, such as Ghatasthapana (planting of holy seeds), Fulpati (bringing flowers), and Dashami (receiving tika and blessings from elders).

Why is Dashain a family-oriented festival?
Dashain is a time for family reunions, with people traveling from all over Nepal to return to their hometowns and receive blessings from elders.

What are the main dishes prepared during Dashain?
Traditional foods like goat meat (khashi ko masu), rice, lentils, and sel roti (a type of fried rice bread) are popular during Dashain celebrations.