What is Dasain?
What is called Dasain in Nepal, is one of the biggest and longest Hindu festivals celebrated all across the country and by all casts in Nepal. It is a two-week long celebration that symbolizes the triumph of virtue over evil or victory of god over the devil. This festival derives from the Hindu mythology where According to Hindu scriptures, goddess Durga slew the ferocious demon Mahisasura (Mahis + Asura), a demon in the form of a water buffalo, which terrorized people on different parts of the Earth. The almighty Durga in her various manifestations, names and forms is widely celebrated with pujas or worships for freeing mankind from the terror. Various kinds of activities take place at the household during the Dasain period. A predominant activity that marks Dasain usually is the 8 th day of the Maha Astami, the day of great sacrifice. Each family sacrifices a goat at a Durga temple, but chickens and ducks are slaughtered as well. The reason is that the ani...