Celebrating Nepali Dashain festival 2013 (Part 3)
Happy Bijaya Dashami to all!
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Auspicious hour - the Tika ceremony - October 14, 2013 is the 10th day of Bijaya Dashami, which is called Dashami or Tika day.
"On this day, a mixture of rice, yogurt
and vermilion is prepared by family members. This preparation is known as
"Tika". Elders put this Tika and Jamara, which is sewn during Ghatasthapana, on the forehead of younger relatives to bless them for the upcoming years. The red also symbolizes the
blood, which ties the family together. Elders give "Dakshina" or a small amount of money to younger relatives at this time along
with blessings. This continues to be observed for five days til the full moon at which point families and relatives visit
each other to exchange gifts and greetings. This ritual of taking Tika from elder relatives (even distant relatives) greatly helps
in the renewal of community ties. This is one reason why
the festival is celebrated with so much of vigor and enthusiasm".........continue reading more here.
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| The pictures above and below are the images of Kathmandu streets during festival time. |
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"Dashain Aayoo" - Dashain is here...
Roads are crowded with vendors calling
out the prices of their products displayed along the footpaths. Store
windows are peppered with colorful signs proclaiming sales. People
spill in and out of shops juggling a few too many carry bags. These
sights are common during Dashain when the whole nation seems to be on
a shopping spree.........continue reading more here.....
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The Nepal army (the Guruju ko Paltan, Nepali Police)
parading in a cheerful mood with Dashain spirit. |
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| A brass Kalasha (तामा को कलश ) is a holy vessel with wide base and narrow mouth kept in the entrance of the house filled with holy water. Nepalese consider Kalasha as an auspicious pot that is used in almost all ceremonial occasions. |
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| The monumental zone - Durbar square, Kathmandu |
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| Beautiful pieces of woodcarving in doors are seen in every corner and courtyard |
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| Images of Nepali police women sitting in front of Hanuman Dhoka, Durbar square area during the festival |
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| In preparation of Dashain, every house is cleaned, painted and decorated to welcome the goddess - here a Nepali army officer is cleaning and painting the entrance of Kot Courtyard with red mud (raato maato) |
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| The holy Sadhu (holy man) with a painted face - is he on a spiritual search? |
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| A Nepali man chanting and praying to the god inside the carved window |
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| The wandering holy man with painted face and forehead decorated with colorful horizontal stripes and black dots. He is mostly seen around Durbar square area, Kathmandu - giving you blessings, Tika of vermillion powder - in return you are supposed to give him some money. |
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| Hindu deities and religious ceremonies - here is an interesting article about, "Animal Sacrifices - a Ritual or Malpractice?" by Nistha Rayamajhi - to read the article, please click here. |
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| The top and bottom images are of venders and buyers - negotiating the price of chicken and duck used for the ceremonial slaughter on the ninth day of Dashain festival. |
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| Another holy man with painted face - if you see him, ask him how he became Yogi, he will tell you the story! |
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The top and bottom images are the entrance of Kumari Chowk (courtyard area). Amazingly beautiful magical place.
"A big brick building on Durbar Square
in Kathmandu, the Kumari Ghar (or Kumari Chowk) houses the living
goddess of Kathmandu. Built in 1757, the temple is known for its
magnificent carvings as well as its divine inhabitant"....... continue
reading more here.
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| Joyful Dashain time - Children and young adults are playing in the bamboo swings - photo taken at the Garden of Dreams, Kathmandu |
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| The chanting holy sadhus - I am receiving another blessing.... |
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Butter lamps in brass pot in front of a temple
Offering Butter Lamps is the most
powerful offering because their light symbolizes wisdom. Just as a
lamp dispels darkness, offering light from a Butter Lamp represents
removing the darkness of ignorance in order to attain Buddha's
luminous clear wisdom.........continue reading more here
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| Festival time - even vehicle is being blessed and worshiped |
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| Images of cleaning local streets in Kathmandu during Dashain festival time - sweeping and street cleaning is done 2-3 times a day. |
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| Happy Bijaya Dashami to all! |
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| A joyous occasion filled with music and dance - several flute artists performing |
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| A traditional dress worn by Newari women called Haaku Pataasi - handwoven cotton saree, usually black color with red border and chaubandi cholo (typical Nepali blouse made by handwoven fabric). |
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Happy Bijaya Dashami 2013 - (Part 1 of 3), Happy Bijaya Dashami 2013 (Part 2 of 3), Happy Bijaya Dashami (Part 3 of 3)
I
hope you will have much fun as I have putting together images of the
cheerful and much-anticipated religious festival of Nepal. Please drop me
a few lines in the comments section of the blog. Your comments
and feedback are important and I would love to hear from you.
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