Dashain

Ghatasthapana

The Festival Begins with a Seed

Ghatasthapana marks the beginning of Dashain. A sacred vessel called a kalash is installed in a prepared worship space, and seeds—commonly barley—are sown to grow jamara.

Over the following days, the shoots are nurtured alongside daily prayers. By Vijaya Dashami, they are ready to be offered with tika and blessings.

This opening ritual connects the beginning of the festival to one of its most meaningful moments: the blessings exchanged between generations.

Prayer and Preparation

Anticipation Builds

The early days belong to daily worship and preparations for the celebrations ahead. During Navaratri—the nine nights devoted to the goddess—devotees honour different forms of Durga and visit her shrines.

Alongside these observances, families prepare for reunions and festive meals. For visitors, this is a chance to learn about the festival as it develops, rather than seeing only its main celebration.

Fulpati

Sacred Plants Enter the Home

On Fulpati, an assortment of auspicious flowers, leaves and fruits is ceremonially brought into household worship spaces and Dashain Ghars.

These offerings form an important part of the worship of the goddess. Public ceremonies and processions also mark the occasion, giving the festival a more visible presence beyond individual homes.

Fulpati is a reminder of how closely nature and religious tradition are connected in Dashain.

Maha Ashtami

A Day of Devotion to Durga

Maha Ashtami is one of Dashain’s major days of worship. Devotees visit temples and make offerings to Goddess Durga.

Animal sacrifice forms part of the tradition in some households and temples, while others offer fruits and vegetables instead. The night also includes special worship known as Kalaratri, including ceremonies at Hanuman Dhoka.

The day reveals the festival’s deeply religious side, with practices that vary between families and communities.

Maha Navami

Honouring the Things That Sustain Daily Life

On Maha Navami, worship extends to tools, machinery, vehicles and equipment. These observances recognise the things people depend on for their work and livelihoods.

In Kathmandu, the Taleju Temple at Hanuman Dhoka traditionally opens to Hindu devotees on this day—an important annual occasion for worshippers.

For travellers, a vehicle decorated for worship or a ceremony around everyday tools offers a glimpse of how faith is woven into daily life.

Vijaya Dashami

The Blessing Families Come Home For

Vijaya Dashami is the central day of family blessings.

Elders place tika—a mixture commonly made with rice, yoghurt and vermilion—on younger relatives’ foreheads and offer jamara, the shoots grown since Ghatasthapana. These blessings carry wishes for health, prosperity and a long life.

Family members visit their elders, share food and spend time together. For many, this is the moment that makes the journey home feel complete.

The Visits Continue

More Time for Togetherness

In many families, receiving tika continues beyond Vijaya Dashami. Relatives visit one another over the following days, allowing those who could not gather on the main day to receive blessings.

The celebrations continue through conversations, shared meals and time with loved ones.

Kojagrat Purnima

Dashain Closes Under the Full Moon

Kojagrat Purnima marks the festival’s conclusion.

On this full moon night, devotees worship Goddess Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. The observance is associated with staying awake in devotion, following the belief that the goddess blesses those keeping vigil.

It brings Dashain’s sequence of worship, reunion and blessings to a close.