Dashain, also known as Vijaya Dashami, is Nepal’s longest and most widely celebrated festival. Observed by Nepalis from diverse ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds, this important annual celebration brings families and communities together across Nepal and around the world. It is a festival of faith, family reunions, blessings, traditional food, new clothes, and the symbolic victory of good over evil.
During Dashain, Nepali households create sacred spaces dedicated to Goddess Durga and worship her different forms through traditional rituals and offerings. One important tradition is the planting of Jamara, young barley shoots that are sown on the first day of the festival and carefully nurtured throughout the nine-day celebration. The green Jamara later becomes an important part of the Dashain tika ceremony.
Religious observances continue throughout the festival, with devotees visiting temples and performing traditional ceremonies dedicated to Goddess Durga. In some communities, animal sacrifice forms part of specific religious rituals, particularly during important days of the festival, although practices vary between families and regions.
The celebration reaches its most significant family moment on Vijaya Dashami, commonly known as the Tika day. Elders place tika and Jamara on younger family members and offer blessings for health, happiness, prosperity, and success. Relatives often travel long distances to receive blessings and celebrate together.
Dashain is recognized as a major national holiday in Nepal, creating a festive atmosphere across the country. Government offices and many businesses close during the holiday period, allowing people to return to their hometowns, reunite with loved ones, observe religious traditions, and enjoy one of Nepal’s most important cultural celebrations.
For travelers visiting Nepal in 2026, 2027, or 2028, experiencing Dashain provides a fascinating opportunity to discover the country’s living traditions, family culture, spirituality, and extraordinary festive atmosphere.
Dashian and Durga Puja( September-October)- this is the longest and most propitous festival celebrated by all the Nepalese despite of different caste and creed. This annual festival is celebrated by all the Nepalese all over the globe.
Nepalese cherish Dashain as the time for eating, dressing as it is a festival for good wins evil. During the festive season each house set up the shrine to worship the goddess. At the time of this festival barley seeds are planted on the first Day in each and every household and nurtured for nine days.
Throughout the time of celebration the whole country worship Goddess Durga in her different manifestations by offering thousands of animal sacrifices for the ritual holy bathing, thus soaking the goddess for days in blood.
The final day of the celebration is called Tika where the elders member of the family offer tika and blessing to the smaller member of the family and other relatives who come for seeking blessings. This festival is celebrated in Nepal as a national festival where all the government offices remain closed.
