The festival of 'Dashain' originated in which country?

Dashain (also called Bada Dashain or Vijaya Dashami) is the longest and most important festival of Nepal. It is celebrated for 15 days in the month of Ashvin (September-October), ending on the full moon day. It is also celebrated by Nepali-speaking communities in India, especially in Sikkim, the Darjeeling hills of West Bengal, Assam and Bhutan.

Dashain celebrates the victory of good over evil. It is dedicated to Goddess Durga, who is believed to have killed the buffalo demon Mahishasura, and it also celebrates Lord Rama's victory over Ravana. The most important days of the festival are:

Ghatasthapana (the first day), when a pot (kalash) is filled with holy water and barley seeds are sown in sand, to grow the "jamara" (yellow sprouts).

Fulpati (the seventh day), when sacred flowers and plants are brought to the homes.

Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami (the eighth and ninth days), when Goddess Durga is worshipped and animal sacrifices are made in many temples.

Vijaya Dashami (the tenth day), the most important day, when elders put "tika" (a mixture of rice, yoghurt and red colour) on the foreheads of younger family members, along with jamara on their heads, and bless them.

Kojagrat Purnima (the 15th day), the end of the festival.

During Dashain, families gather together, people living away return home, and there are feasts, new clothes, kite flying and the playing of cards. Huge bamboo swings (ping) are built in villages, on which children and adults swing. Government offices and schools in Nepal close for the festival.

The Indian equivalent of Dashain is Navratri and Dussehra. Another major festival of Nepal is Tihar (the festival of lights), which corresponds to Diwali and includes the worship of crows, dogs, cows and brothers (Bhai Tika).

Why not the other options?

• ✗Bhutan is known for the tsechu festivals.
• ✗Sri Lanka is known for Vesak and the Esala Perahera.
• ✗Myanmar is known for Thingyan and Thadingyut.