The nine-day Navratri festival that is celebrated by Indian Hindus is popularly known as Dashain in
. In 2013, Dashain begins on October 5. The myth behind the celebration and the period are the same as Navratri but the method of celebration differs largely. There are several unique rituals associated with Dashain. Nepal
The first day of Dashain, that is the first day of Navratri, is known as Ghatasthapana. As the name indicates, a pot or kalash with an image of Goddess Durga is installed in the house on the day. The pot or kalash is filled with water and is covered with cow dung and seeds are sown on the dung. The pot is kept on a sand bed and seeds are sown on this too.
Special pujas are conducted on the pot and water is sprinkled daily. The room where kalash is kept is known as Dashain Ghar. Several beds of the plant are made as they are distributed on the Vijayadashami day.
By the tenth day, the seeds sown on the kalash will grow into small plants of four or five inches. This plant is known as ‘Jamara’ and is considered to be the blessing of Goddess Durga. This is distributed on the tenth day.
The seventh day is known as ‘fulpati’ and the
used to play a dominant role on this day. With King being official removed from his authority by the democratic government in Royal Palace , the rituals and festivities might not be the same on this day this year. Nepal
On the eighth day, that is the Ashtami day, large scale sacrifices of animals are performed. The night is also referred as Kal Ratri. Something that is different from the Navratri in
. In India , large scale sacrifices are not held nowadays. India
The ninth day, that is the Navami day, is of great importance as the Taleju
is opened to devotees only on this day in a year. Buffaloes and goats are sacrificed on this day too. temple of Goddess Durga
Festivals would be far better without the animal sacrifices. But somehow people find satisfaction by sacrificing poor animals. The reason given is that Goddess Durga will be pleased by the blood. The animal sacrifice gives satisfaction to the sacrificer not to the Goddess.
The animal sacrifice is still practiced in
too by certain sections of Hindu society. Animal rights activists and governments have been trying to educate people regarding the futility of such sacrifices. In India , the practice of animal sacrifice has come down to a large extent but it has not been eradicated fully and is still practiced in some parts of eastern and southern India . India