Yes!!!!!!!! This is the month of celebration in the Nepalese calender. The national festival of Nepalese "Dashin" falls in this month. Though it is celebrated by all Nepalese, the celebration differs according to various ethnic groups. For ages it has been continued to celebrate the win of Goddess durga over demon Trakasur.
But one of the stories also says that Dashin actually started during Chaitra Dnasty's king Suraj Dev abandoned from the kingdom had gone to civil life and met another man Samadhi who was from a wealthy family and was also abandoned from his family. They became the very best of friends and made a promise to themselves that they would rather spend their life with god than in the kingdom or in lavish houses. To selflessley surrender to god, they went to a holyman named 'megha". The holy man told them that the misfortune was due to the Mahamaya goddess (one of the form of goddess Durga)and if they are able to make goddess happy they will go to heaven. Therefore they started meditating for goddess Mahamaya but did not succeed due to their interest in their past extravagant and luxurious life. They again went to the holy man and asked for suggestion. Megha, the holy man suggested that it was in their blood that made them greedy and hungry for money and wealth and its only when you are able to get rid of this feeling that you will be able to make the goddess happy. They both went and gave goddess their blood which had the fault and made the goddess happy and they went to heaven. It is after this incident that the people are now celebrating dashin in hope of getting heaven when they die, (but now a days people give animal sacrifice rather than cleaning their blood of greed and hunger for money and wealth) I may be wrong.
The day starts with Kartik Pratipada and lasts until Kojagat purnima. the activities done according to days are as follows:
GHATASTHAPNA: The main person of house takes an early shower and brings soil from river bank which is a mixture of sand and mud and keeps it on clean area (usually cleaned from holy cow dunk) and 9 different seeds are mixed and kept for sprouting. Since its installation the area is believed to be blessed by GoddessLaxmi (goddess of wealth).
A flamed lamp is believed to be another form of Laxmi, and is lit everyday and the soil is watered for the growth of the sprouts.
PHULPATI : Phulpati falls on Saptami where people get the newly blossomed flower and collect from different houses for puja. It is also regarded as the shopping day for everyone for the festival.
MAHA ASTAMI : The next day after Phulpati is maha astami. Another form of Laxmi "Maha Shakti"is worshipped on this day. During the midnight of the day 5 animal and vegetables are sacrificed for "Maha Maya Shakti".
MAHA NAWAMI: During this day many prominent holy places. temples and goddess Durga is worshipped.
DASHAMI : Win of good over evil, when goddess Durga killed Mahishasur (devil's king) is Dashami. This victory of good is celebrated until KOJAGAT PURNIMA (full moon), among friends and family by giving away the sprouts kept on day one and red coloured rice tika mixed with curd. It is kept in their forehead by the elders with their blessings for better future and wishes.
This is the celebration that is celebrated with family, friends and community by coming together no matter where they were through out the year and eating good food and being happy and merry. Flying kite and swings are also a huge attraction during this festival.
