Durgamata
Dashain is the most celebrated and the biggest festival of Nepal, Bhutan and some North Eastern states of India.
In 2026, Dashain festival starts on October 11 with Ghatsthapana and ends on 21 October with Vijayadashami Tika or Bijayadashami. Tika and Jamara will continue till 21 October in 2026.
Dasain 2026 dates – Dashain 2026 Calendar or Schedule of Dashian Festival in 2026
Ghatasthapana – 11 October 2026, 25 Ashwin 2083
Fulpati – 17 October 2026, 31 Ashwin 2083 – Nawapatrika Prabesh
Maha Ashtami – 18 October 2026, 1 Kartik 2083 – Kaalratri
Maha Nawami – 19 October 2026, 2 Kartik 2083
Bijaya Dashami – 21 October 2026, 4 Kartik 2083 – Dashain Tika
Purnima (Full moon) – 25 October 2026, 8 Kartik 2083
Tika and Jamara – from 21 October to 25 October 2026
Dashain festival is similar to Durga Navratras celebrated in India. The rituals and pujas during the both festivals are same but Dashain is celebrated for 15 days whereas Durga Navaratras is culminated on 10th day.
Dashain, also called Bada Dashain or Vijaya Dashami, takes place annually, primarily in Nepal but also among Nepali communities in Sikkim, Darjeeling, Bhutan, and Myanmar. In 2026, Dashain begins on October 11 (Ghatasthapana) and concludes on October 25 (Kojagrat Purnima), with the main Tika day on October 21.
Religious and Cultural Significance
-
Dashain venerates Goddess Durga, who symbolizes divine energy and the destroyer of evil.
-
The festival commemorates the mythological victory of Durga over the demon Mahishasura, as well as Lord Rama’s triumph over Ravana after seeking Durga’s blessings.
-
Each day is associated with different forms of Goddess Durga, such as Mahakali, Mahalaxmi, and Mahasaraswati.
-
The rituals begin with Ghatasthapana, where barley seeds are planted (Jamara), followed by important days like Phulpati, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami, and Bijaya Dashami.
Major Customs and Celebrations
-
Families reunite, receive blessings, and perform rituals together.
-
The Tika ceremony on Bijaya Dashami involves elders applying red Tika and Jamara on the foreheads of younger members, with prayers for long life and prosperity.
-
Kite flying, swings (“Linge Ping” or “Pirke Ping”), feasting, and giving gifts are integral to Dashain’s festive atmosphere.
Historical and Social Context
-
Dashain has roots as an agrarian festival marking the harvest season and is historically associated with royal rituals in Nepal.
-
It represents unity—families travel long distances to celebrate, and communities come together for shared joy and thanksgiving.
Important Days Table
| Dashain Day | 2026 Date | Key Rituals |
|---|---|---|
| Ghatasthapana – | October 11, 2026 – | Planting Jamara, ritual setup |
| Phulpati – | October 17, 2026 – | Carrying sacred flowers, offerings |
| Maha Ashtami – | October 18, 2026 – | Worship of Durga, animal sacrifices |
| Maha Navami – | October 19, 2026 – | Temple visits, special worship |
| Bijaya Dashami – | October 21, 2026 – | Tika and Jamara, family blessings |
| Kojagrat Purnima – | October 25, 2026 – | Night prayers, festival closing |
Dashain embodies Nepalese tradition, faith, and the central theme of good prevailing over evil while strengthening family and community ties through joyous celebrations and worship.
Hi friends! Aaj Maowadi haru ko pani dr cchaina, raja shri 5 haru ko pani kunai trash cchaina tara pani tihar ko khushiyali tyati jhalke ko cchaina. Yasto kin?????
Wait! September 28th to october 6 makes only 9 days..?????do you know what you’re talking about??
Hello Nepalese Daju Bhai haru missing Dashain and Tihar very much ……………
nepali hindu daju bhai didi bahaini shubha chintak deshbashi haruma dashaiko shubh kamana……….happy dashain all hindhu family………..all nepali
To all Nepalese Brothers, Sisters and colleques Happy dasain and deepawali.
The many animals you sacrifice at Dashain are not happy. I saw disgusting photos of a goat’s head being held by a psychopathic man, it had just had its head cut off but the neck bone was not cut off yet and still joined to the head. In the next photo you can see the goat has now had its head fully cut off. You can see the blood, muscle and bone where its head has been cut off, a big pool of blood around the goat’s head and blood and its decapitated head near its body. What an absolutely horrible vision. The absolute dumb belief of people who sacrifice animals at the Dashain Festival, that they will get good fortune by sacrificing animals. How can those evil people truly have good luck, they have an evil nature.