Dashain Festival: Rituals, Tika, and Nepal’s Biggest Celebration

Posted on Dec 30, 2025 in Protocol and Event Organization

Dashain: Nepal’s Grand 15-Day Festival

Dashain is recognized as Nepal’s biggest festival, a 15-day celebration typically occurring in September or October. This major Hindu festival commemorates the triumph of good and virtue over evil and unrighteousness.

The Cultural Significance of Dashain

Celebrated by Hindus across Nepal, Dashain symbolizes the victory of righteousness, drawing its narrative from two major mythological events:

• The victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura.
• The triumph of Lord Ram over Ravan.

The celebration is crucial for reinforcing cultural and familial bonds, involving widespread family reunions, elaborate religious rituals, and festive feasting.

Key Rituals and Traditions

The 15 days of Dashain are marked by several important rituals:

• Ghatasthapana: Observed on the first day, this ritual involves the sowing of jamara (barley sprouts).
• Vijaya Dashami: The tenth day is the most significant. On this day, elders place tika (a sacred red mark) and the harvested jamara on the foreheads of younger relatives.

This act of receiving tika and jamara is accompanied by blessings and the giving of dakshina (money) by the elders, solidifying the familial hierarchy and tradition.