Welcome to our first issue of the Language Exepress!

Dashain is not only the festival of giving and receiving blessings it is also the festival which celebrates the victory of good over evil and marks the end of Durga puja. It’s the longest and the most anticipated festival for all of Nepal and the Nepalese population around the world. It is so important in Nepal that all government buildings, education and most shops are closed during the festival period so everyone can enjoy the joy of the festival without stressing over work. The festival usually falls in between September and October where in 2019 it was held on Tuesday the 8th of October.

 

On the first day of Dashain people fill a container with soy maize, barley seeds and sand, hoping for it to grow for the 10th day. Although every day is important, I believe that the 10th day is the most important as not only does it have religious meaning it also brings people together. On this day a mixture of rice and yogurt with vermilion (which gives it its red colour) is prepared, this is called “tika” and put on the foreheads of the people you are blessing. Elders put this “tika” on the forehead and use the grown barley seeds as another type of blessing and put it on the ear of younger relatives and friends, it is to bless them so that everything works out for them in their years to come. Using red symbolises the blood that binds family and friends and all the hard work and struggles they have got through together. Elders usually give small amounts of money to the people they are blessing along with their blessing and fruit to represent health. Although most people do their blessings on the 10th day, it continuous for 5 days until the moon is full.

 

I feel the importance of this as it brings people who may rarely meet together for an enjoyable time and celebration it also makes s think about others and the importance of religion and how it helps a family and a community as a whole.

It also brings with it many more important values such as honouring the great conquest of gods and praising the symbol of power, goddess Durga. However, I believe that the most important value is bringing family and friends together.