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“Dashain is the 15-day-long national festival of Nepal. It is the longest and the most auspicious festival in the Nepalese annual calendar, celebrated by Nepalese people throughout the globe. It is not only the longest festival of the country but is also the one which is most anticipated. The festival falls in September or October, starting from the shukla paksha (bright lunar fortnight) of the month of Ashvin and ending on purnima, the full moon. Throughout the country Shakti is worshiped in all her manifestations. This festival is also known for its emphasis on the family gatherings, as well as on a renewal of community ties. People return from all parts of the world, as well as different parts of the country, to celebrate together. All government offices, educational institutions and other offices remain closed during the festival period.

Dashain symbolizes the victory of good over evil. For followers of Shaktism, it represents the victory of the goddess, Shakti. In Hindu mythology, the demon Mahishasura had created terror in the devaloka (the world of gods) but Durga killed the demon. The first nine days of Dashain symbolizes the battle which took place between the different manifestations of Durga and Mahishasura. The tenth day is the day when Durga finally defeated him. For other Hindus, this festival symbolizes the victory of Rama over Ravana as recounted in the Ramayana. Buddhists Nepal celebrate Dashain to commemorate Ashoka's adoption of ahimsa and Buddhism”. – Wikipedia


A devotee sits with lighted oil lamps while offering prayers during the “Dashain”, Hinduism's biggest religious festival in Bhaktapur October 3, 2014. Hindus in Nepal celebrate victory over evil during the festival by flying kites, feasting, playing swings, sacrificing animals and worshipping the Goddess Durga as well as other gods and goddess as part of celebrations held throughout the country. (Photo by Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters)

A devotee sits with lighted oil lamps while offering prayers during the “Dashain”, Hinduism's biggest religious festival in Bhaktapur October 3, 2014. Hindus in Nepal celebrate victory over evil during the festival by flying kites, feasting, playing swings, sacrificing animals and worshipping the Goddess Durga as well as other gods and goddess as part of celebrations held throughout the country. (Photo by Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters)




A buffalo is prepared for a sacrifice inside a temple during the “Dashain”, Hinduism's biggest religious festival in Bhaktapur October 2, 2014. (Photo by Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters)

A buffalo is prepared for a sacrifice inside a temple during the “Dashain”, Hinduism's biggest religious festival in Bhaktapur October 2, 2014. (Photo by Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters)




A priest walks inside a temple while taking part in a sacrificial ceremony of a buffalo during the “Dashain”, Hinduism's biggest religious festival in Bhaktapur October 2, 2014. (Photo by Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters)

A priest walks inside a temple while taking part in a sacrificial ceremony of a buffalo during the “Dashain”, Hinduism's biggest religious festival in Bhaktapur October 2, 2014. (Photo by Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters)




A priest covered in bloodstains performs rituals during the sacrificial ceremony held to mark the “Dashain”, Hinduism's biggest religious festival in Bhaktapur October 3, 2014. (Photo by Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters)

A priest covered in bloodstains performs rituals during the sacrificial ceremony held to mark the “Dashain”, Hinduism's biggest religious festival in Bhaktapur October 3, 2014. (Photo by Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters)




Priests covered in bloodstains perform rituals in front of a buffalo carcass during the sacrificial ceremony held to mark the “Dashain”, Hinduism's biggest religious festival in Bhaktapur October 3, 2014. (Photo by Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters)

Priests covered in bloodstains perform rituals in front of a buffalo carcass during the sacrificial ceremony held to mark the “Dashain”, Hinduism's biggest religious festival in Bhaktapur October 3, 2014. (Photo by Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters)




A priest, covered in bloodstains, stands outside a temple during the sacrificial ceremony held to mark the “Dashain”, Hinduism's biggest religious festival in Bhaktapur October 3, 2014. (Photo by Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters)

A priest, covered in bloodstains, stands outside a temple during the sacrificial ceremony held to mark the “Dashain”, Hinduism's biggest religious festival in Bhaktapur October 3, 2014. (Photo by Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters)




Priests circle around the temple carrying offerings during the sacrificial ceremony held to mark the “Dashain”, Hinduism's biggest religious festival in Bhaktapur October 3, 2014. (Photo by Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters)

Priests circle around the temple carrying offerings during the sacrificial ceremony held to mark the “Dashain”, Hinduism's biggest religious festival in Bhaktapur October 3, 2014. (Photo by Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters)




A devotee is prepared before he offers prayers during the “Dashain”, Hinduism's biggest religious festival in Bhaktapur October 3, 2014. (Photo by Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters)

A devotee is prepared before he offers prayers during the “Dashain”, Hinduism's biggest religious festival in Bhaktapur October 3, 2014. (Photo by Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters)




A devotee sits with lighted oil lamps while offering prayers during the “Dashain”, Hinduism's biggest religious festival in Bhaktapur October 3, 2014. (Photo by Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters)

A devotee sits with lighted oil lamps while offering prayers during the “Dashain”, Hinduism's biggest religious festival in Bhaktapur October 3, 2014. (Photo by Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters)




Blades used for the sacrificial ceremony are lined up during the “Dashain”, Hinduism's biggest religious festival in Kathmandu October 3, 2014. (Photo by Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters)

Blades used for the sacrificial ceremony are lined up during the “Dashain”, Hinduism's biggest religious festival in Kathmandu October 3, 2014. (Photo by Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters)




Devotees gather in front of a buffalo carcass during the sacrificial ceremony held to mark the “Dashain”, Hinduism's biggest religious festival in Bhaktapur October 3, 2014. (Photo by Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters)

Devotees gather in front of a buffalo carcass during the sacrificial ceremony held to mark the “Dashain”, Hinduism's biggest religious festival in Bhaktapur October 3, 2014. (Photo by Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters)




A child stands in front of an idol of Bhairab, as a priest offers prayers during the “Dashain”, Hinduism's biggest religious festival in Kathmandu October 3, 2014. (Photo by Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters)

A child stands in front of an idol of Bhairab, as a priest offers prayers during the “Dashain”, Hinduism's biggest religious festival in Kathmandu October 3, 2014. (Photo by Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters)
03 Oct 2014 11:30:00