Dashain in Dhakalthok,Panchamul,Syangja

 My plan to reach Dhakalthok, Panchamul,Syangja

My plan to visit Dhakalthok,Panchamul ,Syangja for Dashai celebration has become succeed,the tickets are on my hand,the distance 8 h 21 min (261.1 km) via Prithvi Hwy.I packed my luggage and prepared the mind to be on time.Dashai celebration in right area is my wish ,to be granny aged with ninety who stays there.Panchamul Sirubari is the first model village designed to experience village based tourism in Nepal. It is a nature gifted place and one of the richest village in terms of culture. Panchamul Sirubari is a unique example of eco-cultural tourism in Nepal and is a new tourism product originated by local people.

As a student I have been studying in Tribhuvan University ,Kirtipur ,Kathmandu and the distance from Syangja to Kathmandu is not such a long distance by bus,one enjoys a lot visting Pokhara in six hours and Panchamul in next three hours from Pokhara in a local vehicle to Ghante Deurali.The village is on a south-facing slope at 1,700 m above sea level. The climate is ideal at all times of the year with no snow ever falling in the village itself. However, the ideal time to visit is between September and June. The houses are mostly built from local materials and are well constructed and comfortable.And I prefer journey on foot if a group of friends joined me on the way to  discuss about facts of Dashai in Panchamul Syangja this year.

Dashai ,what it means to me ?

Dashain, also known as Bada Dashain or Vijaya Dashami. It is the biggest festival of the Hindus all over the world. It symbolizes the victory over evil. It usually falls in the month of Aswin or Kartik (late September/early October). Dashain is celebrated for 15 days. Goddess Durga the Goddess of power, is worshipped for nine days, and on the tenth day, Bijay Dashami or the victory over evil is observed with joy by putting on Tika and Jamara. People clean, paint and decorate their houses at Dashain as it falls in Aswin or Kartik month of the bikramsambat calendar and in September or October as per the English calendar, starting from the Shukla Paksha (bright lunar fortnight) and ending on Purnima ( full moon).

Dashain is the most auspicious and longest festival in Nepal. Nepal being a multi-cultural country, all the people from all around the country celebrate with love, respect, and appreciation. Dashain is a fifteen day national festival of Nepal. People return from different parts of the country to their hometown. All government offices, educational institutions, and offices remain closed during this period. The schools and college remain close as well. Children are seen to be much excited about Dashain because they do not have to go their schools and can play all day long without getting scold or being punished. 

Dashain begins with the first day which is called as Ghatasthapana where people plant seeds into the sand. Sand is collected from the river bank and is spread in the prayer room. Barley seed along with sesame is planted on the sand surrounding the Kalash. The priest chants a welcome mantra so that goddess Durga could bless the family. Every day the sand is watered and fruits are offered. Generally, the male member reads one chapter of Chandi every morning and evening. The seeds later turn out to be Jamara which is given to the member who comes to put tika.

Dashain symbolizes the victory of good over evil. The meaning of Dashain is different for different mythology yet the concept of winning over the evil is same. For followers of Shaktism, it represents the victory of the goddess Parvati.In the case of Hindu mythology, the demon Mahsishasura had created panic in the development but Durga killed the demon. The first nine days of Dashain symbolize the battle which took place between Durga and Mahishasuru. The tenth day is the final day when Durga finally defeated him. For some other Hindus, Dashain symbolizes the victory of Ram over Ravan as mentioned in the Ramayana.

The 7^th day of Dashain is Fulpati which is a major celebration occurring on the seventh day of Dashain. On this day, Kalash, banana stalks, Jamara, and sugar cane tied with a red and yellow cloth. The king used to observe the ceremony in Tundikhel while the Fulpati parade heads towards the Hanuman Dhoka. But, we have our president who looks after the parade as they head ahead. On the eight days, the day is called as Maha Asthami. This is the day when the goddess Durga’s appearances, the Kali is appeased through the sacrifice of buffaloes, goats, hens and so on. The system of sacrificing the animals has been a concern for the people all around the world.

Blood is the symbol of fertility which is offered to the Goddesses. After the offering, the meat is taken home and cooked as Prasad. On this day Newar community has an event known as Khadga puja. The people in this event has to do puja of their weapons. The ninth day is called the Mahanavami and is the last day of Navaratri. On this day, on this day, official soldierly ritual sacrifices are done in the Hanuman Dhoka palaces, the Kot courtyard.

On this occasion, the sacrifices of buffaloes under the gunfire salutes are done. This day is also known as the demon-hunting day because members of the conquered devil try to save themselves by hiding in the bodies of animals and birds. On Mahanavami, Vishvakarman who is also known as the god of creation is worshiped as it believed that all the things which help us in making a living should be kept happy. Craftsmen, traders, and mechanics worship and offer animal and bird blood to their tools, gear, and automobiles so that there would be no loss in the business process.

Moreover, it is also believed that worshipping the vehicles on this day avoids accidents for the year all the vehicles from bikes, cars to trucks are worshiped on this day. The Taleju Temple gates are unlocked for the general public on only this day of the year. The devotees go and pray and show respect to the goddess this day. The temple is filled with devotees all day long.

The tenth day of the festival is the ‘Dashami’ meaning the tenth day. On this day, a mixture of rice, yogurt, and Jamara is prepared by the women which are known as “Tika”. Elders put this tika and jamara which is seeded in the Ghatasthapana, the first day, on the forehead of younger relatives to bless them with health and wealth in the future. The red represents the blood that ties the family together.

Elders give a small amount of money which is called as “Dakshina” to younger relatives along with the blessings. This procedure is followed continuously for five days till the full moon during which period families and relatives visit each other to give-and-take gifts and greetings. This ritual of taking tika from all the elder relatives and also from the relatives who we do not always visit, those who are at the distant helps in the restoration of the community ties significantly. This is one reason why the festival is celebrated with so much of strength, energy and eagerness or interest.

My plan to reach Dhakalthok on time itself to do all the rituals with grandma,I know she is still happy to work in field and prepares the essential items in different festivals with the help of aunts.My uncles also help in preparation of different prasad there at home and distribute to everybody.As a child, Dashain meant two things, relatives and good food. The description of Dashain is never complete without its food.Nothing defines Nepali dessert as well as sel roti. Cooked with grinded rice, sel roti with its unique doughnut like shape and divine taste represents Nepali culture and Dashain festival, both at once. A big part of our pujas, sel roti is enjoyed both hot and cold, and as older people say, a day-old sel roti is still better than the fresh ones. I don’t know about that, but it definitely aims to please, and it does, in so many ways.

What my granny prepares at Panchamul,Syangja as Dashai cuisine ?

What would Dashain be without khasi ko masu? It is a festival of Goddess Durga who is believed to be pleased through animal sacrifice. So, you can imagine the love and abundance of meat during Dashain. Every household has meat during Dashain. And, in the entire five days, guests are served with various delicacies of meat, khasi (goat meat) being the most popular in many homes.

Just the smell of it and you remember heaven! To those who love tama, there is no better dish. People prefer eating their entire plate of bhaat (rice) with aalu bodi tama. This bamboo shoot is sour to taste and is prepared with potatoes and beans. It is spicy and tasty, just as any festival delicacy should be.

Furandana has, in recent times, become a big part of Dashain. While traditionally, Dashain meant serving daal, bhaat, tarkari, and maasu to the guests, with changing times, it is impossible to prepare and then serve everything for five days to all the guests, as tradition calls for. It is an even bigger torture to eat all that in all the houses we visit. So, an easy yet delicious option of furandana has come into existence. Fried beaten rice is mixed with bujhiya and dried fruits, and served with meat or curd in almost all households today, making furandana a new yet equally tasty Dashain food.

Though vegetables are enjoyed in every season, October calls for special love towards cauliflower and spinach. All Dashain parties or get togethers have these vegetables. The main reason behind this could be the eternal love of Nepali people towards these vegetables. Almost everyone loves it.

Kheer, or rice pudding, is the king of desserts in festivals. Cooked with little effort and enjoyed with grand hearts, kheer forms an integral part of Dashain cuisine. Cooked with milk and rice, this dessert is a big part of our puja and our parties as well.

Curd is simple yet integral. For generations, we have been serving curd as an important form of dessert in our culture. At the end of every meal, curd holds an important place. It is served with almost all main courses and is easily prepared overnight at home in most cases.

Dashain Ping swing
 
Dashain Ping swing are Pings which are made by bamboo and wood on dashain festival in Nepal. Nepali people are playing with the Dashain Ping very interesting and with full of fun. Ping in the Dashain festival of Nepal are seen in all over the Nepal. Dashain Ping swing are played by the Nepali people in the countryside of Nepal. There are various types of Pings made in Dashain festival of Nepal. Types of Dashain Pings are Rote Ping, Linge Ping etc.My unlce and brothers prepare fo us and we play as we wish with our friends,this is the best part of Dashai for me in Dhakalthok .

My feelings for Dashai  

Dashai has much charm to me as it helps to me unite with my family in Dhakalthok,Panchamul ,Syanga as  my family waits me too to enjoy as a family member and the crowd gathered at home reminds me my communal love of Dhakalthok ,Panchamul as it helps to recreate sense of belongingess,festivity and united happy mood.The best part of this festival is the fooding system my granny organizes for all the relatives who come and enjoy in same old house which was built before five decades and the nostalgic tone of granny about the location creates a sense of recreation of home in all of us.