KATHMANDU, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Hindu Nepalese throughout the country have celebrated the major day of biggest, longest and most auspicious festival Bada Dashain with fanfare and merriment on Tuesday.
The 10th day known as Vijaya Dashami is the major day of the 15-day long festival. It is celebrated annually in September/October as per Nepali lunar calendar to commemorate the victory of divine forces over demonic forces.
Goddess Durga is worshiped and prayed in every Hindu household and temples throughout the Dashain festival. On the 10th day, people receive Tika, Jamara and blessings from the parents, elders and relatives.
Tika, a mixture of rice grains and red vermilion powder, is put into foreheads by the elders to youngers on the major day of the festival. Likewise, newly germinated maize shoots which are yellowish in color are received as blessing of Goddess Durga, storehouse of power.
People visit the far flung relatives and receive Tika and Jamara for five days, till the full moon day. Dashain is synonymous to family gatherings, leisure, delicacies and indoor games like cards.
In a message on the occasion of the Vijaya Dashami today, Nepali President Bidya Devi Bhandari wished happiness, peace and prosperity to all the Nepali sisters and brothers within the country and abroad.
"The unique customs and traditions of the people of different castes and ethnicity, communities, geographies and religious beliefs remain as the unparalleled treasures and cultural pillars of tolerance," the President said in her message.
Similarly, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal also extended hearty best wishes to all the Nepalese and wished for the peace, happiness, good health and prosperity.
In his message, the PM said that the cultural festivals including Dashain have been making special contribution to fostering brotherhood, sentimental unity in the Nepali society and also to enhancing national dignity.
