In Madhyapur Thimi, Dashain is celebrated with great enthusiasm and traditional reverence, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the area. Dashain, Nepal’s longest and most significant Hindu festival, typically falls in the month of Ashwin, lasting for fifteen days. The festival honors Goddess Durga and symbolizes the victory of good over evil.
During Dashain, families in Madhyapur Thimi thoroughly clean and decorate their homes as a mark of respect to the goddess. The streets are lined with colorful decorations, and people visit temples to offer prayers. The Fulpati day, the seventh day of Dashain, is a vibrant event in the community, with families gathering for ritual offerings and welcoming the goddess’s blessings into their homes. Similarly, the tenth day, Vijaya Dashami, is celebrated with tika and jamara (sacred grass) rituals, where elders bless the younger family members.
Throughout the festival, communities in Madhyapur Thimi also engage in traditional fairs, and children play on large bamboo swings, known as “ping.” The entire town resonates with the spirit of joy and familial bonding, as people come together to celebrate their shared cultural values. Dashain in Madhyapur Thimi is thus a time of unity, spirituality, and the celebration of age-old traditions.