Dashain

Vaḍādaśain̐ ({{lang|ne|वडादशैँ}}) is a Nepali sandhi. Bbaḍā ({{lang|ne|बडा}}) means "important"; daśa͠i ({{lang|ne|दशैं}}) means "tenth", implying the most-significant final day of the festival of Durga Puja and celebrating the dawn after Nauratha (nine nights). The word Dashain is derived from the Sanskrit word daśamī, denoting the 12th day of Kaula in this context.

For followers of Shaktism, Dashain represents the victory of Durga over Mahishasura (who had terrorised the devas and usurped their abode, Svarga).{{cite web|title=Mahishasur Mardini|url=http://shaktisadhana.50megs.com/Newhomepage/shakti/mahishasuramardini.html|publisher=Shaktisadhana.50megs.com|access-date=11 November 2015|archive-date=25 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925125146/http://shaktisadhana.50megs.com/Newhomepage/shakti/mahishasuramardini.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=The Slayer Of Mahishasura|url=http://www.balagokulam.org/kids/stories/durga.php|publisher=Balagokulam.org|access-date=11 November 2015|archive-date=31 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151031124044/http://www.balagokulam.org/kids/stories/durga.php|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Major festivals of nepal|url=http://www.asukagroup.com/travel/festival.html|publisher=Asukagroup.com|access-date=11 November 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150331023512/http://www.asukagroup.com/travel/festival.html|archive-date=31 March 2015}} The festival's first nine days symbolize the battle between different manifestations of Durga and Mahishasura; on the tenth day, Durga is victorious. For other Hindus, it symbolizes the victory of Rama over Ravana (as told in the Ramayana) and the triumph of good over evil.

File:Nepal's biggest festival Dashain.jpg on the tenth day.]]

Ghatasthapana ({{lang|ne|घटस्थापना}}; "sowing jamara") is celebrated by Jhijhiya folk dancing across Mithila in Madhesh Province as the beginning of Dashain.{{cite web |title= Dashain begins with Ghatasthapana Wednesday |date= 28 September 2011 |author= nmn |url= http://www.nepalmountainnews.com/cms/2011/09/28/dashain-begins-with-ghatasthapana-today/ |publisher= Nepal Mountain News |access-date= 11 November 2015 |archive-date= 27 September 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150927031915/http://www.nepalmountainnews.com/cms/2011/09/28/dashain-begins-with-ghatasthapana-today/ |url-status= live }}{{cite web|title = Dashain 2072: When is Dashain in 2015 (2072) : Dashain 2072|publisher = Sanjan Media|date = 25 September 2015|url = http://www.sanjan.com.np/2015/09/dashain-2072-when-is-dashain-in-2015.html|access-date = 11 November 2015|archive-date = 31 October 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151031110029/http://www.sanjan.com.np/2015/09/dashain-2072-when-is-dashain-in-2015.html|url-status = live}} A kalasha (pot) symbolizes Durga. It is filled with holy water in which barley seeds are sown, and placed in the center of a rectangular sand block. The remaining bed of sand is also seeded with grains. A priest begins the puja by asking Durga to bless the vessel with her presence. The ritual is performed at an astrologically-determined time,{{cite web|title=Ghatasthapana|url=http://www.riiti.com/341/ghatasthapana_-_kalashsthapana|publisher=Riiti.com|access-date=11 November 2015|archive-date=12 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112161748/http://www.riiti.com/341/ghatasthapana_-_kalashsthapana|url-status=live}} and Durga is believed to reside in the vessel during Navaratri.{{Cite news|url=http://www.myrepublica.com/news/27942/|title=Ghatasthapana for luck and prosperity: Dashain days are here again|work=My Republica|access-date=24 September 2017|language=en|archive-date=24 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924225633/http://www.myrepublica.com/news/27942/|url-status=live}}

The puja room is known as the Dashain Ghar, which is traditionally closed to outsiders. The kalasha is worshiped in the morning and evening, and is kept away from direct sunlight.{{cite web|url=http://www.nepalhomepage.com/society/festivals/dashain.html |title=Festivals of Nepal: Dashain |access-date=17 November 2011 |publisher=Nepalhomepage.com |author=Karki, Avigya |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511230731/http://www.nepalhomepage.com/society/festivals/dashain.html |archive-date=11 May 2008 }} By the tenth day, the seed will have sprouted to five- or six-inch-long yellow grass known as jamara. The rituals continue until the seventh day.

Phulpati ({{Lang|ne|फूलपाती}}) is celebrated on the seventh day of Dashain. Phulpati is made up of two words: phūl (flower) and pātī (leaf).

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On this day the Phulpati (the kalasha, banana stalks, Jamara, and sugar cane tied with red cloth) is brought by Magars from Gorkha{{snd}}a three-day walk, about {{convert|169|km|miles}} from the Kathmandu Valley. Hundreds of formally-dressed government officials gather on the Tundikhel ground for the event. The king observed the ceremony at Tundikhel, and the Phulpati parade marched towards the Hanuman Dhoka complex. The Nepali Army fires a 10- to 15-minute feu de joie and a 21-gun salute, followed by a military parade. The Phulpati is brought to the Hanuman Dhoka palace.{{cite web|title=Fulpati|url=http://www.ekantipur.com/the-kathmandu-post/2011/10/03/top-story/fulpati-observed-as-dashain-proper-begins/226961.html|publisher=Kathmandu Post|access-date=11 November 2015|archive-date=5 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205162200/http://www.ekantipur.com/the-kathmandu-post/2011/10/03/top-story/fulpati-observed-as-dashain-proper-begins/226961.html|url-status=dead}}

Since 2001,when the royal family was overthrown, the two-century-old tradition has changed and the Phulpati goes to the residence of the president. The president assumed the king's social and religious roles after the end of the monarchy, in addition to being commander-in-chief of the army. The Phulpati parade at Tundikhel is still held as a expression of army loyalty to Nepali traditions and culture.{{cite web |title=President offers tika |url=http://www.nepalnews.com/home/index.php/news/2/13701-president-yadav-offers-dashain-tika-to-general-public.html |publisher=Nepalnews.com}}

In other cities and towns across Nepal and India, a Phulpati procession takes place. Flowers, fruit and holy symbols are tied in a red cloth, which is covered with a red shawl and carried on a decorated log. Townspeople offer flowers and fruit as the procession passes their houses,{{Cite web |title=Darjeeling kicks off festival with flower march |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/darjeeling-kicks-off-festival-with-flower-march/cid/1671997 |access-date=2022-10-08 |website=www.telegraphindia.com |archive-date=8 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008061640/https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/darjeeling-kicks-off-festival-with-flower-march/cid/1671997 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=दार्जीलिङको पहाडी भेकमा जातीय सांस्कृतिक उत्सवको रुपमा फूलपाती मनाइयो |url=https://www.dainiknepal.com/2022/10/585863.html |access-date=2022-10-08 |website=Dainik Nepal |language=en-US |archive-date=8 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008061613/https://www.dainiknepal.com/2022/10/585863.html |url-status=live }} accompanied by traditional Naumati instruments.{{Cite web |last=Samaya |first=Nepal |title=आज फूलपाती भित्र्याइँदै, देशभरका शक्तिपीठमा पूजाआजा गरिँदै |url=https://nepalsamaya.com/samaj/2022-10-02-054000 |access-date=2022-10-08 |website=nepalsamaya.com |language=en-gb |archive-date=8 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008061613/https://nepalsamaya.com/samaj/2022-10-02-054000 |url-status=live }}

File:Dashain (1856).png

File: Taleju Temple (17231063613) (cropped) (cropped).jpg

The ninth day of Dashain is Maha Navami, "the great ninth day". The last day of Navaratri, ceremonies and rituals reach a peak. On this day, official ritual sacrifices of the Nepal Armed Forces are held in both one of the Hanuman Dhoka royal palaces, the Kot courtyard grounds, and in the presidential palace yard.

On Maha Navami, Durga is celebrated. Artisans, craftsmen, traders, and mechanics worship and offer animal and fowl blood to their tools, equipment, and vehicles. The Taleju Temple gates are opened to the general public only on this day, and thousands of devotees pay their respects to the goddess.{{cite web|title=Days of Dashain|url=http://www.nepalvista.com/travel/dashain.html|publisher=Nepalvista.com|access-date=11 November 2015|archive-date=27 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140927162013/http://www.nepalvista.com/travel/dashain.html|url-status=dead}}

File:Tika and jamara.jpg (in red) and jamara used during Dashain]]

The tenth day of the festival is the Bijaya dashami. On this day, a mixture of rice, yogurt and vermilion is prepared which is known as "tika". Dashain tika time{{Cite web |url=https://saranepal.org/dashain-tika-time-2074-2017-tika-sahit/ |title=dashain tika time |access-date=25 September 2017 |archive-date=25 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925132318/https://saranepal.org/dashain-tika-time-2074-2017-tika-sahit/ |url-status=live }} differs by year. Elders put this tika and jamara on the forehead of younger relatives to bless them with abundance in the future. Red symbolizes the blood that ties the family and community together.

File: Putting Tika From Elder.jpeg

Ekadashi is the eleventh day of the lunar fortnight in the Hindu calendar, and people usually fast. The day after Bijaya Dashami is known as Papakunsha Ekadashi ({{Lang|ne|पापकुंश एकादशी}}). On this day, it is customary to listen to Papakunsha Ekadashi stories and visit religious sites.{{Cite web |last= |date=2020-10-27 |title=दशैँ टिकाको भोली पल्ट आज पापांकुशा एकादशी: सुन, तिल, जौ, अन्न, भूमी, छाता र जुत्ता दान गर्नाले मृत्युपछि स्वर्गलोक प्राप्त हुने विश्वास |url=https://purbelinews.com/431878 |access-date=2022-10-08 |website=Purbeli News |language=ne |archive-date=8 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008061615/https://purbelinews.com/431878 |url-status=live }} Donating objects such as gold, sesame, barley, grain, soil, umbrellas, and shoes is believed to lead to heaven after death.{{Cite web |date=2019-10-09 |title=आज पापांकुशा एकादशी |url=https://rastriyasamachar.com/2019/10/09/26030/ |access-date=2022-10-08 |website=Rastriya Samachar |language=ne |archive-date=8 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008061641/https://rastriyasamachar.com/2019/10/09/26030/ |url-status=live}}

== Day 15: Kojagrat Purnima ==

The festival's last day, on the full-moon day, is known as Kojagrat Purnima ({{Lang|ne| कोजाग्रत पूर्णिमा}}) or Sharad Purnima. The literal meaning of Kojagrat is "who is awake". Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, is worshipped because it is believed that she descends to earth and showers whoever is awake all night with prosperity. Activities that night include playing cards.{{Cite web |title=आज कोजाग्रत पूर्णिमा, दशैंको समापन गरिँदै |url=https://www.onlinekhabar.com/2017/10/629849 |access-date=2022-10-08 |website=Online Khabar |language=en-US |archive-date=8 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008055947/https://www.onlinekhabar.com/2017/10/629849 |url-status=live }}

Animal sacrifice is common, as the festival commemorates the bloody battles between divine and demonic powers. Proponents interpret it as the symbolic sacrifice of animal qualities, and those opposed to animal sacrifice call it an excuse to satisfy the appetite for meat.{{cite web|url=http://www.explorehimalaya.com/blog/september-festivals/|title=September Festivals|date=27 September 2009|publisher=Explore Himalaya|access-date=18 September 2009|archive-date=23 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923032014/http://www.explorehimalaya.com/blog/september-festivals/|url-status=live}}

Malshree dhoon has been incorporated into mainstream Nepalese music as the music of Dashain, announcing that the festival has begun. It is some of the oldest surviving Newa-language devotional music, originating in the 17th century.{{Cite web |url=http://ecs.com.np/features/melodious-instruments-of-lyrical-nepal |title=Melodious Instruments of Lyrical Nepal |access-date=11 October 2018 |archive-date=28 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928152605/http://ecs.com.np/features/melodious-instruments-of-lyrical-nepal |url-status=live }}

File: Dashain Ritual.jpg

While putting tikas on younger family members, elders usually recite Sanskrit mantras as a blessing. Two main mantras are recited while applying tikas on Bijaya Dashami: one for men and one for women.

In the male mantra, the qualities of mythical Hindu heroes (such as Yudhishthira and Balarama) and antiheroes (Ashwatthama and Duryodhana) are extolled.{{Cite web |title=दसैंको आर्शिवाद कति अर्थपूर्ण र उपयोगी छ |url=https://www.onlinekhabar.com/2019/10/801865 |access-date=2022-10-09 |website=Online Khabar |language=en-US |archive-date=9 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009114916/https://www.onlinekhabar.com/2019/10/801865 |url-status=live }}

The female mantra worships women as various form of goddess Durga.{{Cite web |title=दशैँका आशिष ! |url=https://www.lokpath.com/story/314996 |access-date=2022-10-09 |website=Lokpath |language=en |archive-date=9 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009114917/https://www.lokpath.com/story/314996 |url-status=live }}

In addition to these mantras, other blessings for good health and fortune are given.

File:Thrill-of-flying-kites 640.jpg

File:Linge Ping, traditional festive swing in Nepal.jpg) in Palpa, Nepal in 2019]]

File:पिर्केे पिङ.jpg

As Dashain approaches, kite-flying becomes more common. Kites are considered one way of reminding God to stop sending rain. During the festival, people of all ages fly kites from their roofs. Colourful kites and voices shouting "changā chet" (when a person cuts another's kite string) fill the days. Playing cards is another way of celebrating Dashain.{{cite web|title=ECS Dasain|url=http://ecs.com.np/feature_detail.php?f_id=314|publisher=ECS.com.np|access-date=11 November 2015|archive-date=20 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020074119/http://ecs.com.np/feature_detail.php?f_id=314|url-status=dead}}

Bamboo swings are built in many parts of the country, and Dashain swings are known as ping in Nepali.{{cite web|title=To Swing On A Ping|url=http://www.ecs.com.np/living_category.php?category=8&id=104|publisher=ECS.com.np|access-date=11 November 2015|archive-date=25 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111025021935/http://ecs.com.np/living_category.php?category=8&id=104|url-status=dead}} The swings, made with traditional methods, are normally constructed a week before Ghatasthapana{{snd}}the first day of Navratri{{snd}}and dismantled after the festival of Tihar (which follows Dashain). The height of some swings exceeds twenty feet, and they are especially popular with children.

Fairs and celebrations are organized during the festival. Small village fairs have Ferris wheels for children and other entertainment for adults. In the city, commercial fairs and celebrations are usually held.

Buying and wearing new clothes is an important part of Dashain. Many people in the villages are poor, and new clothes are synonymous with Dashain for them. Almost all shops have festival discounts, and clothing has its highest sales during the festival.

File:Rakti with chiura.jpg]]

Thousands of animals, including buffalo, ducks, and rams, are slaughtered during Dashain every year. It is believed that the goddesses are appeased by the sacrifices. Almost all the temples, especially the Durga and Kali temples, receive thousands of sacrifices. Ashtami and Navami are the days when the sacrifices peak. Thousands of animals are sacrificed to appease the goddesses, and people also slaughter animals for feasts. Since many feasts and gatherings are organized throughout the festival's fifteen days, demand for meat increases considerably.{{Cite news|url=http://www.myrepublica.com/news/28118/|title=Enjoy Healthy Food This Dashain|work=My Republica|access-date=24 September 2017|language=en|archive-date=24 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924230255/http://www.myrepublica.com/news/28118/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/goats-for-dashain-2/|title=Goat for Dashain - The Himalayan Times|date=21 September 2017|work=The Himalayan Times|access-date=24 September 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=25 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925040831/https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/goats-for-dashain-2/|url-status=live}}

Dashain was declared a national holiday in Bhutan in 1980.{{Cite journal |last=Hofbauer |first=H. |date=1996 |title=Bhutan |url=https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004208162_005 |journal=Human Rights in Development Yearbook |volume=3 |pages=75–115 |doi=10.1163/9789004208162_005 |isbn=9789004208162 |via=|url-access=subscription }} It is celebrated by the country's Hindu community, and is a major Lhotshampa festival. The king of Bhutan offers the Dashain tika to representatives of the Hindu community at the Devi Panchayan Mandir in Thimphu every year, and tika and royal blessings are sent to other dzongkhags across the country. The king also offers prayers to Durga at the Hindu temple.{{Cite web| last = Newspaper| first = Bhutan's Daily| title = His Majesty The King grants Dashain Tika| work = Kuensel Online| accessdate = 2023-07-17| url = https://kuenselonline.com/his-majesty-the-king-grants-dashain-tika/| archive-date = 17 July 2023| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230717091753/https://kuenselonline.com/his-majesty-the-king-grants-dashain-tika/| url-status = live}} White tika is used.{{Cite news| title = चार दशकअघि नेपाल आएका शरणार्थीले अझै बिर्सिन सकेका छैनन् भुटानको दशैँ| work = BBC News नेपाली| accessdate = 2023-07-17| url = https://www.bbc.com/nepali/news-54632136| archive-date = 17 July 2023| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230717091753/https://www.bbc.com/nepali/news-54632136| url-status = live}}{{Cite web| last = Newspaper| first = Bhutan's Daily| title = Her Majesty and HRH Gyalsey Ugyen Wangchuck attend Tika ceremony| work = Kuensel Online| accessdate = 2023-10-27| url = https://kuenselonline.com/her-majesty-and-hrh-gyalsey-ugyen-wangchuck-attend-tika-ceremony/}}

Dashain is celebrated by Nepali-speaking communities in Darjeeling, Sikkim and Assam. The Gorkhaland movement increased the importance of the Dashain and Tihar festivals. A red tika is used.{{Cite news| title = भारतका नेपाली भाषी: दशैँ भन्दा ठूलो कुनै चाड छैन| work = BBC News नेपाली| accessdate = 2023-07-17| url = https://www.bbc.com/nepali/news-58841377| archive-date = 17 July 2023| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230717114330/https://www.bbc.com/nepali/news-58841377| url-status = live}} Nepalese people working in India return en masse during the festival, causing congestion in border areas.{{Cite web| last = श्रेष्ठ| first = कुमार| title = कामकाे सिलसिलामा भारत पुगेका नेपाली दशैँ मान्न घर फर्किन थाले| work = देशसञ्चार| accessdate = 2023-07-17| date = 2019-09-11| url = https://deshsanchar.com/2019/09/11/248076/| archive-date = 17 July 2023| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230717114729/https://deshsanchar.com/2019/09/11/248076/| url-status = live}}

Myanmar has a Nepali-speaking population of about 100,000 people. Fewer animal sacrifices are made during Dashain, and tika is traditionally offered to descendants of the Konbaung dynasty. Kite-flying is uncommon.{{Cite news| title = परदेशिएको दशकौँ पछि म्यानमारका नेपालीले दशैँ मान्ने चलन कसरी कायम राखेका छन्| work = BBC News नेपाली| accessdate = 2023-07-17| url = https://www.bbc.com/nepali/news-54626799| archive-date = 17 July 2023| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230717091753/https://www.bbc.com/nepali/news-54626799| url-status = live}}

Dashain is criticized for its animal sacrifice,{{cite web |last=Criveller |first=Gianni |url=http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Buddhists-and-animal-rights-activists-against-animal-slaughter-for-Durga-32254.html |title=NEPAL Buddhists and animal rights activists against animal slaughter for Durga - Asia News |publisher=Asianews.it |access-date=11 November 2015 |archive-date=16 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116020839/http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Buddhists-and-animal-rights-activists-against-animal-slaughter-for-Durga-32254.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |author=Bibek Bhandari |url=http://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/1625292/animal-rights-activists-want-nepals-sacrifice-festival-stopped |title=Animal rights activists want Nepal's sacrifice festival stopped | South China Morning Post |date=27 October 2014 |publisher=Scmp.com |access-date=11 November 2015 |archive-date=16 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116020838/http://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/1625292/animal-rights-activists-want-nepals-sacrifice-festival-stopped |url-status=live }}{{Cite news|url=http://www.myrepublica.com/news/27990/|title=NFC starts selling goats for Dashain|work=My Republica|access-date=24 September 2017|language=en|archive-date=23 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923194240/http://www.myrepublica.com/news/27990/|url-status=live}} and online petitions have been registered on Change.org calling for government action against it. Many animals and birds are ritually slaughtered, especially on the festival's eighth and ninth days.{{cite news |last=Haviland |first=Charles |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7052543.stm |title=Revulsion over Nepal animal slaughter |work=BBC News |date=19 October 2007 |access-date=9 October 2016 |archive-date=7 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307090628/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7052543.stm |url-status=live }} Birds and animals traditionally sacrificed include goats, buffaloes, sheep, chickens, and ducks.{{cite web |url=http://www.occupyforanimals.net/dashain-festival-nepal.html |title=Dashain festival, Nepal - Occupy for Animals! |publisher=Occupyforanimals.net |access-date=11 November 2015 |archive-date=17 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117015154/http://www.occupyforanimals.net/dashain-festival-nepal.html |url-status=live }} Thousands of animals are traded to sacrifice for meat.{{Cite web |date=2018-10-12 |title=Dashain And Climate Change - It's Better to Stop Eating Meat |url=https://wapnepal.com.np/dashain-climate-change/ |access-date=2023-10-08 |website=Wap Nepal |language=en-US}} Animal-welfare activists have called for the use of pumpkins and coconuts instead of birds and animals.{{cite web |url=https://globalvoices.org/2010/10/21/debating-animal-cruelty-during-nepals-dashain-festival/ |title=Debating Animal Cruelty During Nepal's Dashain Festival · Global Voices |publisher=Globalvoices.org |date=21 October 2010 |access-date=11 November 2015 |archive-date=16 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116020838/https://globalvoices.org/2010/10/21/debating-animal-cruelty-during-nepals-dashain-festival/ |url-status=live }}

National figures and animal-rights activists have expressed concern about animal cruelty during Dashain. On 3 October 2016, Nepali comedian Hari Bansha Acharya wrote a satirical piece for Saptahik entitled "Euta Khasiko Aatmakatha" ("Autobiography of a Goat") in light of the exploitation of animals during the festival.{{cite web|title=एउटा खसीको आत्मकथा|trans-title=Autobiography of a Goat|url=http://nepal.ekantipur.com/news/2016-10-03/20161003140201.html|website=Nepal Saptahik|language=ne|publisher=Kantipur Publications|access-date=9 October 2016|date=3 October 2016|archive-date=6 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006090033/http://nepal.ekantipur.com/news/2016-10-03/20161003140201.html|url-status=dead}}

Indigenous groups (adivasi janajati) have said that Dashain is imposed on them by the state. To resist what they see as cultural domination by the Hindu elite who dominate Nepal, several organizations have organized a boycott of the festival. The campaigns have had limited effect, since Dashain and other cultural celebrations are ingrained in Nepalese society.{{Cite journal|last=Hangen|first=Susan|title=Boycotting Dasain: history, memory and ethnic politics in Nepal|url=https://www.academia.edu/811844|journal=Studies in Nepali History and Society|date=January 2005|language=en|access-date=29 March 2017|archive-date=28 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928153720/https://www.academia.edu/811844|url-status=live}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book|author=James G. Lochtefeld|title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: N-Z|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5kl0DYIjUPgC |year=2002|publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group|isbn=0-8239-2287-1}}

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Category:Public holidays in Nepal

Category:Festivals in Nepal

Category:Culture of Nepal

Category:Hindu festivals

Category:Culture of Sikkim

Category:Public holidays in Bhutan

Category:Hindu festivals in Nepal

Category:September observances

Category:October observances

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