Chaite Dashain

In Nepal the Dashain festival is observed twice a year albeit under two different name. The bigger Dashain sometime also referred to as Bada Dashain falls in Sept-Oct and is celebrated for ten long days whereas the Chaite Dashain (also known as small Dashain) falls in spring around Mar-Apr and lasts for only two days and is named after the month during which it is celebrated. Legend associated with this festival tells that the Goddess Devi Durga (also called Bhagawati) helped Rama, the central character of the great Hindu epic Ramayana in defeating his arch for Ravana. In fact it is commonly believed that Ram was eventually successful in defeating Ravana on the 9th of the Nepali month (Chaitra) hence the second day of the festival is called Ram Nawami (ninth day)

An important aspect of Chaite Dashain is the animal sacrifices which are considered to be essential in appeasing Goddess Durga. One of the major sacrifice taking places on this occasion is in Hanuman Dhoka (Kathmandu Durbar Square) at the guardhouse as well as at Bhaktapur Durbar square where many water buffaloes and goats are sacrificed to appease Goddess Bhavani or Durga.

Glance of Nepal