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Dasain is the biggest and the most popular festival of Nepal. Dasain is usually celebrated in the months of late September till early October. The festival of Dasain is observed by the people of all age group and all casts. It is considered to be the most auspicious festival in the country. Dasain covers a stretch of fifteen days and is observed during the fortnight ending with a full moon night. Dasain in Nepal is a festival in which Goddess Durga is worshiped in all her different manifestations through out the country.
The rituals in the celebration of Dasain at Nepal include a variety of offerings during the pujas, including a huge number of animal sacrifices. Dasain at Nepal basically celebrates the victory of good over the evil in the form of the wicked Mahisasura being killed by the hands of Durga. Another story which goes parallel to the this one is that when Lord Rama was about to die in the hands of the king of the Demons, Ravana, Lord Rama could only be saved only after the evoking of Durga. Mahisura is believed to have been terrorizing the earth in the form of a water buffalo.
The first nine days of Dasain mark the nine days of the terrible battle between the Goddess and the Demon. On the tenth day, Mahisasura was slain and the rest of the five are a celebration of this victory. The first nine days are called “Nawa Ratri”, the eight day is called “Maha Ashtami” and the tenth day s called “Dashami”.
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