About Dashain (Vijaya Dashami)
Dashain is the longest and most important festival in Nepal, celebrated across 15 days by Hindus throughout the country and by Nepali communities worldwide. It honours the goddess Durga and her triumph over the buffalo demon Mahishasura — the victory of good over evil — and is a time when scattered families travel home to reunite, receive blessings from their elders, and feast together. For many Nepalis it is the emotional heart of the year.
The festival builds through a sequence of holy days: it opens with Ghatasthapana, when barley seeds are sown to grow the sacred yellow jamara grass, rises through Phulpati, Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami with temple worship, and climaxes on the tenth day, Vijaya Dashami. On that day elders press a red tika of rice, yoghurt and vermilion onto the foreheads of younger relatives and tuck jamara behind their ears, offering blessings of prosperity and long life.
Dashain falls in the lunar month of Ashwin, usually in late September or October, on dates set by the Bikram Sambat calendar — so the Gregorian day shifts each year and is fixed by Nepal's panchang committee. The countdown above tracks the days until the next Vijaya Dashami. Add it to your own page to follow the run-up to Nepal's grandest celebration.
Upcoming dates
| 2026 | Wednesday, October 21, 2026next |
| 2027 | Saturday, October 9, 2027 |
FAQ
When is Dashain?
Dashain falls in the lunar month of Ashwin (late September to October). The climactic day, Vijaya Dashami, lands on a different Gregorian date each year — the live countdown above shows exactly how long is left.
Why is Dashain celebrated?
It marks the goddess Durga's victory over the demon Mahishasura — the triumph of good over evil — and celebrates family reunion, with elders blessing younger relatives.
How is Dashain celebrated?
Over 15 days families sow jamara grass, worship Durga, fly kites, play on bamboo swings (linge ping) and gather for the Vijaya Dashami tika, sharing feasts and blessings.
What is the Dashain tika?
On Vijaya Dashami, elders apply a red tika of rice, yoghurt and vermilion to the forehead of younger family members and give them jamara and money, blessing them for the year ahead.