NEW YORK, NEW YORK, September 22, 2025 (nepyork.com): Nepal’s most significant and longest festival, Dashain, officially began today. This 15-day celebration marks the start of a joyous occasion for Hindus in Nepal and around the globe, including vibrant Nepali communities in the United States. Also known as Bada Dashain or Vijaya Dashami, this cherished festival celebrates the triumph of good over evil, rooted in the Hindu mythological victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. Dashain is a time of family reunions, cultural traditions, spiritual devotion, and communal joy, bringing together Nepali Hindus in a vibrant display of their rich heritage. The first day of Dashain is known as Ghatasthapana, a sacred occasion when families perform a ceremonial ritual to sow barley seeds in a small pot or tray. Over the next nine days, these seeds will grow into sacred sprouts called “jamara,” symbolizing prosperity, growth, and Nepal’s deep agricultural and religious heritage. This ritual, conducted in homes and temples, sets the tone for the festive season, invoking the blessings of Goddess Durga and preparing families for the spiritual and cultural journey ahead.

In the United States, Nepali Hindu communities are embracing Dashain with enthusiasm, bringing the spirit of Nepal to cities like New York, California, Texas, and Virginia. Homes, temples, and community centers are adorned with traditional decorations, and families are gathering to perform rituals, share festive meals, and celebrate their cultural heritage. The Ghatasthapana ritual, with its sowing of jamara, is being observed in countless Nepali American households, connecting the diaspora to their roots. Dashain’s universal message of hope, unity, and the victory of good over evil resonates across cultures and borders. For Nepali Hindus in the U.S., the festival is a bridge between their ancestral traditions and their lives in a new land, fostering pride and belonging. In 2023, Maryland became the first US state to recognize the Nepali festival Dashain as a commemorative day.

More on the festival at source.
https://nepyork.com/2025/09/22/dashain-15-day-celebration-of-good-over-evil-kicks-off-as-nepali-hindus-in-the-usa-embrace-festivities/

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