Historical Origins and Earlier Celebration of Festival
The origins of the Dashain celebrated in the Chaitra months are deeply rooted in Hindu mythology and Nepalese traditions. According to the Ramayana, Ravana (the demon king of Lanka) has abducted Sita (Lord Rama’s wife). This led to a fierce battle.
Before the war, Lord Rama worshipped Goddess Durga for the divine blessings and strength. With her intervention, Rama defeated Ravana on this day. This victory and Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya are celebrated as the Dashain.
Due to the unfavorable dry seasons and recurring droughts in the month of Chaitra, the fete was shifted to the autumn season from the spring season. However, the original fete retained its cultural values among Nepalis and is celebrated on the chaitra every year.
Date, Duration and Timing of Festival Celebration in 2025
In 2025, the Chaitey Dashain is going to be celebrated on April5and6. It is celebrated for two days in the month of Chaitra according to the Bikram Sambat calendar.
The first day of the fete is observed as a ChaitraShuklaAshtami, in which the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana is commemorated, while the second day is celebrated as Ram Navami, marking Lord Rama's birth.
The timing of the Astami tithi begins at 8:12 PM on April 4 and ends at 7:26 PM on April 5, 2025. While the Ram Navami tithi starts at 7:26 PM on April 5 and ends at 7:22 PM on April 6, 2025.
Cultural Significance of Chaite Dashain
Chatey Dashain holds great cultural importance in Nepal. During this fete, devotees perform pujas dedicated to the goddess Durga and Lord Rama. It is believed that by doing so, the god and goddess bless them with prosperity and protection from the evil eye.
On the fete, the families residing far from their homes for different purposes come together to celebrate the fete. The younger ones learn the cultures of the fete from their elders, seek the blessings from them, share meals, and celebrate the fete together.
Even though it doesn't hold a larger celebration than the main Dashain, the celebration still has great importance. Various activities are organized during the fete, along with the cultural music and dance being a main part of the celebration.
In addition, the other cultural rituals include temple visits, tika and Jamara, feasting, and community gatherings.
Main Celebratory Days of the Chaite Dashain
When it comes to the chaitey dashain celebrations, the main two days are counted in as the celebratory days. All the other rituals and days are shifted to the autumn season. However, these two days hold great importance in Nepalese society.
The main day of the Chaite Dashain is Chaitra Shukla Ashtami, which falls on April 5 of the year 2025. It is also called Chaitra Durga Ashtami or Mahashtami. The day has great importance and is dedicated to the goddess Gauri.
On this day, several pujas, like Durga Puja, Sandhi Puja, and Kumari Puja, are organized in the temples inside and outside the Kathmandu Valley. The animals are sacrificed and offered to the goddess. Then the prasad is shared and consumed among the community members.
People visit the several Shakti Peethas (temples dedicated to the goddess), such as Dakshinkali, Shobavagwati, Maitidevi, and others, for prayers and blessings.
Chaitra shukla Navami is also a part of the Chaite Dashain. It is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Rama (the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu). On this day, devotees perform pujas and havana in the temples and homes.
People fast on this day and don’t have anything, including water. Some customize the fast with pure food items like fruits, milk, and so on, especially those people who have health conditions. Various feasts are prepared and shared among family members.
Culinary Traditions of the Chaitey Dashain
During the fete celebrations, diverse food items are prepared and shared among family and community members. Below are some of the delicacies that are produced and consumed on the Chaite Dashain.
It is a cornerstone of the Dashain celebrations. The core ingredients of the mutton/goat curry are goat meat, spices, aromatics, and mustard oil. It is tasty and loved by all Nepalis as well as tourists. It is paired with rice or chiura (beaten rice).
It is a traditional Nepalese kebab-style grilled meat dish consumed across Nepal. There are different varieties of the sekuwa available, like Chicken Sekuwa, Fish Sekuwa, Paneer Tikka, or Grilled Vegetables Sekuwa, and so on. It is often paired with chiura (beaten rice), achar (spicy pickle), and garnished with onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, and lemon wedges.
It is a traditional Newari dish known for its smoky flavor and spicy, tangy profile. It is often referred to as the part of the samaybhaji set. It can be made from the meat of buffalo, duck, chicken, or pork. However, the meat of buffalo is popular.
It is a classic Nepali dish made with potatoes (aloo), bamboo shoots (tama), and black-eyed peas (bodi). It has a perfect blend of sourness from bamboo shoots and earthy flavors from potatoes and beans. People also consume the dish by adding the lapsi (Nepali hog plum) for extra tanginess or meat broth for depth.
It is a traditional Nepali sweet, ring-shaped fried rice bread. It is one of the most consumed foods in Nepal during fetes like Dashain and Tihar and is often produced in Buk. The roti is often accompanied by the masala tea.
It is a Nepalese yogurt delicacy that is made from buffalo milk. The Juju Dhau has a thick, creamy texture and mild sweetness. It is often mixed with the fruits and is served as part of ceremonial foods like beaten rice (baji).
Lal Mohan, also known as Gulab Jamun, is a small ball-shaped sweet dessert made from milk solids (khoya) or milk powder, flour, and ghee. It is enjoyed in the various fetes and celebrations across Nepal and India.
Modern Celebrations and Regional Variations
The modern celebration of the chaitey dashain includes the incorporation of social media into the celebrations. Nowadays people share their pictures with captions on popular platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
The younger generations tend to be attracted towards more sustainable celebrations by reducing animal sacrifices and promoting vegetarian offerings. They prefer the simplified rituals due to the busy lifestyles or modern influences.
The older generations also prioritize the main Dashain that is celebrated in the autumn season rather than the Dashain that is celebrated in the spring season. Due to this, the celebratory days and rituals are less than that of the main Dashain, with temple visits and prayers being common.
Talking about the regional celebrations, in the urban areas like Kathmandu, the main celebrations happen in the temples and fairs. Some organizations also may organize the concerts targeting the festive times.
FAQS
- Why is Chaite Dashain celebrated ?
Chaitra Dashain is celebrated to mark the victory of good over evil. It marks and celebrates the triumph of Lord Ram (a central figure in the epic Ramayana) over the demon king Ravana, with the blessings and power of Goddess Durga Bhawani.
- When is Chaite Dashain this year ?
This year, the Chaite Dashain is going to be celebrated on April 5, 2025, according to the Gregorian calendar. According to the Nepali calendar, the fete date 2081 is Chaitra 23 on the Chaitra Shukla Ashtami day.
- How to celebrate Chaite Dashain in Nepal ?
You can celebrate the Chaite Dashain in Nepal by participating in the rituals, visiting the temples, tasting the unique cuisines, taking part in the community gathering, and so on. Here are the main celebration days and how Nepali people celebrate the fete in Nepal.
Day 1 (Chaitra Ashtami): Worship of Goddess Durga Bhawani with animal sacrifices in temples like Hanuman Dhoka and Bhaktapur Durbar Square.
Day 2 (Ram Navami): Devotees fast and visit temples dedicated to Lord Ram, with a grand fair held at Ram Janaki Temple in Janakpur.
- Where to visit to observe the Chaitey Dashain celebration in Nepal?
There are several places to observe the Chaite Dashain celebrations in Nepal, like Dakshinkali, Shovavagwati, Maitidevi, RaktaKali, Sankata, Guheshwori, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Bhagwati Temples, and Shakti Peethas, and so on.
Some of the other temples that are popular for the temple visit are Pathibhara Temple, Dakshinkali Temple, Baglung Kalika Temple, Kasthamandap, and so on.
Final thoughts
Chaite Dashain, also known as a small Dashain, holds a great place in the Nepali culture and religious landscapes. While it is less recognized as compared to the main Dashain, it still holds spiritual essence and cultural relevance.
In the fete, Goddess Durga and Lord Rama are honored. It is celebrated for two days and attracts tourists, offering them insights into Nepal’s rich cultural tapestry.
