尼泊尔年度大节庆进行中〜达善节(Dashain Festival)

维基百科 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dasain
Observed by Hindus and Buddhists, mainly in Nepal and India
Begins Ashvin Shukla Pratipada
Date sept-oct
2012 date Oct 16 to Oct 30
Observances Prayers, Religious rituals, animal sacrifices

Dashain (दशैं) is the 15-day national (religious) festival of Nepal,[1] It is the longest and the most auspicious festival in the Nepalese annual calendar, celebrated by Nepalese Hindu of all castes throughout the globe. It is not only the longest festival of the country but is also the one which is most anticipated. The festival falls around September–October, starting from the bright lunar fortnight and ending on the day of full moon. Although the festival is being celebrated for 15 day, the most important days are the 1st, 7th, 8th, 9th and the 10th day.[2]The fifteen days of celebration occurs during the bright lunar fortnight ending on the day of the full moon.[3]Dasain is also popularly referred to as Bada Dasain, Dashera, Vijaya Dashami etc. It is also referred to as Durga Puja,[4] in some parts of India.

Throughout the country the goddess Durga in all her manifestations is worshiped with innumerable pujas, abundant offerings and thousands of animal sacrifices for the ritual of holy bathing, drenching the goddess for days in blood. This festival is also known for its emphasis on the family gatherings, as well as on a renewal of community ties.[1] People return from all parts of the world, as well as different parts of the country, to celebrate together.[1] All government offices, educational institutions and other offices remain closed during the festival period.
Contents

1 Significance

2 Description

2.1 Day 1: Ghatasthapana

2.2 Day 7: Fulpati

2.3 Day 8: Maha Asthami

2.4 Day 9: Maha Navami

2.5 Day 10: Dashami

3 Forms of celebration

4 References

Significance

Dashain commemorates the victories of the god and goddesses over the demons. IT symbolizes the victory of the good over the evil. Mahishasura, a demon, had created terror in the dev-lok (the world of gods). All the gods and saints prayed to the Adi-Shakti in order to kill Mahishasura, Goddess came as Durga emerged and killed the demon thus saving everyone from terror.[5][6][7]

The first nine days of Dashain symbolizes the battle which took place between the different manifestations of goddess Durga and the demon Mahishasura. The tenth day is the day when Durga finally defeated Mahishasura. Goddess Durga is worshipped throughout the country as divine mother goddess.

Throughout the festival people pay homage to the various forms of the Supreme Goddess, Durga. The festival is important since it reminds everyone of the universal principles of truth, justice and virtue that must prevail over deception, injus­tice and wickedness. It is believed that if she is worshiped properly and pleased then good luck is bound to happen. However, if the goddess is angered through negligence then misfortunes are said to happen.

Dashain is the biggest festival for the Hindus. The followers of Shakta cult take it as the day of falling of demon Mahishasur by goddess Durga. For non-Shakta Hindus, this festival symbolizes the victory of Rama over Ravana, the characters of the epic Ramayana. The Buddhists remember this day as Emperor Ashoka of the Indian subcontinent abandoned violence on this day and entered the path of Buddhism.

In the Kathmandu Valley, among the Newars, the festival is known as "Mohanee", with slight difference in rituals and significance, thus more than often confused with the Dasain.
Description
Day 1: Ghatasthapana
The tika (in red color) and jamara (green color) used in Dashain.

Ghatasthapana marks the beginning of Dasain.[8] It literally means installing a pot which symbolizes Goddess Shakti. It falls on Aswin Shukla Pratipada, the first day of the bright half of the lunar calendar in the month of Ashvin. On this day the kalasha is filled with holy water which is then covered with cow dung and sewn with barley seeds. Then, the kalasha is put in the center of a rectangular sand block. The remaining bed of sand is also seeded with grains. The priest then starts the puja by calling goddess Durga to bless the vessel with her presence. This ritual is performed at a certain auspicious time which is determined by the astrologers.[9] Goddess Shakti is believed to reside in the Kalash vessel during the Navratri period.

The room where all this is done is known as the ‘Dasain Ghar’. Generally, outsiders and women are not allowed to enter the Dasain Ghar. A male family member worships the Kalasha twice every day, once in the morning and then in the evening. It is kept away from direct sunlight,[10] and holy water is offered to it every day, so that by the tenth day of the festival the seed will have grown to five or six inches long yellow grass. This sacred grass is known as ‘Jamara’. These rituals continue till the seventh day.
Day 7: Fulpati

[neutrality is disputed]

Fulpati is a major celebration occurring on the seventh day of Dasain. On this day the jamara to be used by the royal family is brought from Gorkha palace, their ancestral house. The Fulpati (jamara and the other items that is necessary for tika) is brought after a three day walk from Gorkha district which is about hundred and sixty nine kilometers away from the valley of Kathmandu. A parade is held in the Tundikhel ground in Kathmandu.[11]

The royal Kalasha, banana stalks, jamara and the sugar cane tied with red cloth is brought by the Brahmans from Gorkha which is led by the royal priest's military platoon. Hundreds of government officials gather together in the Tundikhel grounds in conventional formal dress to witness the event. The king observes the ceremony in Tundikhel while the fulpati parade is headed towards the Hanuman Dhoka royal palace. Then there is a majestic display of the Nepalese Army along with a celebratory firing of weapons that continues for ten to fifteen minutes honoring Fulpati. The Fulpati is taken to the Hanuman Dhoka Royal palace by the time the occasion ends in Tundikhel.

However, since 2008 when the monarchy system was removed from the country, the two-century old tradition is changed so that the holy offering of fulpati goes to the residence of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister has taken over the king's social and religious roles after the fall of the royal government, as he is believed to be ruling the nation and not the king.
Day 8: Maha Asthami

The eighth day is called the 'Maha Asthami'. This is the day when the most demonic of Goddess Durga’s manifestations, the blood-thirsty Kali, is appeased through the sacrifice of hundreds of thousands of buffaloes, goats, pigeons and ducks in temples throughout the nation. Blood, symbolic for its fertility, is offered to the Goddesses. Appropriately enough, the night of this day is called Kal Ratri (Black Night). It is also the norm for buffaloes to be sacrificed in the courtyards of all the land revenue offices in the country on this day. The old palace in Basantapur Hanuman Dhoka, is active throughout the night with worships and sacrifices in almost every courtyard. On the midnight of the very day the Dasain Ghar, a total of 54 buffaloes and 54 goats are sacrificed in observance of the rites. After the offering of the blood, the meat is taken home and cooked as "prasad", or food blessed by divinity. This food is offered, in tiny leaf plates, to the household Gods, then distributed amongst the family. Eating this food is thought to be auspicious. While the puja is being carried out great feasts are held in the homes of common people.
Day 9: Maha Navami
People standing in queue to visit the Taleju Bhawani Mandir

The ninth day is called Maha-navami which literally means the great ninth day. This day is the last day of Navarati. Ceremonies and rituals reach the peak on this day. On this day, official military ritual killings are held in one of the Hanuman Dhoka royal palace called the Kot courtyard. On this occasion, the state offers the sacrifices of buffaloes under the gunfire salutes. This day is also known as the demon-hunting day because members of the defeated demon army try to save themselves by hiding in the bodies of animals and fowls.

On this day the Vishwakarma, the god of creativeness is also worshiped as it believed that all the things which help is in making a living should be kept happy. Artisans, craftsmen, traders, and mechanics worship and offer animal and fowl blood to their tools, equipment, and vehicles. Moreover, since it is believed that worshipping the vehicles on this day avoids accidents for the year all the vehicles from bikes, cars to trucks are worshiped on this day.

The Taleju Temple gates are opened for the general public on only this day of the year. Thousands of devotees go and pay respect to the goddess this day. The temple is filled with devotees all day long.[12]
Day 10: Dashami
An elder member of the family putting Tika to the younger one

The tenth day of the festival is the 'Dashami'. On this day, a mixture of rice, yogurt and vermilion is prepared by the women. This preparation is known as "tika". Elders put this tika and jamara which is sewn in the ghatasthapana on the forehead of younger relatives to bless them with abundance in the upcoming years. The red also symbolizes the blood that ties the family together. Elders give "Dakshina", or a small amount of money, to younger relatives at this time along with the blessings. This continues to be observed for five days till the full moon dur­ing which period families and relatives visit each other to exchange gifts and greetings. This ritual of taking tika from all the elder relatives (even the distant relatives)helps in the renewal of the community ties greatly. This is one reason why the festival is celebrated with so much of vigor and enthusiasm.

Before the collapse of the monarchy system in Nepal, thousands of people ranging from the ministers, diplomats and general public used to gather in the old royal palace to take the tika and blessing from the king who is considered to be the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. However after the collapse of the monarchy system the president of the country who is considered the head of the state has been continuing the trend by offering the tika to the general public and ministers.[13]

The last day of the festival which lies on the full moon day is called 'Kojagrata' Purnima. The literal meaning of Kojagrata is 'who is awake'. On this day Goddess Laxmi who is believed to be the goddess of wealth is worshiped as it believed that goddess Laxmi descends on earth and showers whoever is awake all night with wealth and prosperity. People enjoy over the night by playing cards and many more.

Animal sacrifices are often the norms during this time, as the festival commemorates the mythical bloody battles between the "divine" and "demonic" powers. The proponents of animal sacrifice interpret that this sacrificial act as the symbolic sacrifice of our animal qualities, but those who are compassionate to the sacrificed victims think otherwise stressing that the sacrificial act is nothing but an excuse to fulfill the appetite for food/meat.

[14]
Forms of celebration

1. One gets to know that Dasain is around the corner when they see kites all over the sky. Flying kites has been a very important part of celebrating Dasain in the country as it is considered to be one way of reminding god not to send rain anymore.[15] Not only the children of the family but during the festival you can see people of all ages in their roofs flying kites. Colorful kites of different shapes and voices shouting out 'Changa Chet' (this phrase is usually used when one is successful in cutting the other person's kite) fill the days during the festival.

2. Playing cards is another way of celebrating Dasain. Gambling is illegal in the country but it is usually permitted in public places only during this festival.[15] While children are busy flying kites during Dasain, the older members of the family pass their time by getting together and playing cards with each other for money and fun all day long.

3. Buying and wearing new clothes is an important part of the festival. As many people are living in the villages and are below the poverty line and for them it is often the case that new clothes come only with Dasain.[15] Almost all the shops in the country have festival offers and discounts. This makes shopping more attractive to people. Clothes is the item which has the highest sales during the festival.[12]
Children playing on traditional bamboo swings

4. Bamboo swings are constructed in many parts of the country as a way of celebration. These bamboo swings is called 'ping' in Nepali. These kind of swings present the best of local culture, tradition, community spirit and fun.[16] These swings are constructed with the help of community members using traditional methods which make the use of ropes made from tough grass, bamboo sticks and wood etc. Theses swings are normally constructed a week before Ghatasthapana and dismantled only after the festival of Tihar which comes after Dasain. Heights of some swings exceed twenty feet and one can swing really high. One can see people of all ages enjoying in the swing. It is specially famous with the children.

5. Different kinds of fairs and celebration events are also organized during the festival. Usually small fairs are organized in the villages with the Ferris wheels for children and other items of entertainment for the adults. However, in the city it is the commercial fairs and celebration events that is usually organized.

6. Thousands of animals such as buffaloes,ducks,he-goats, etc. are slaughtered in Dasain every year. It has been considered an important ritual since it is believed that the goddesses are appeased by such sacrifices. Almost all the temples, specially the Durga and Kali temples of the country are offered with thousands of sacrifices. Asthami and Navami are the days where the sacrifices reach the peak. While thousands of animals are sacrificed to appease the goddesses, people also slaughter animals for the purpose of feasts. Since a large number of feasts and gatherings are organized throughout the fifteen days of the festival, the demand for meat goes up considerably. Hence to meet the demands the slaughtering of animals becomes considerably high and necessary during the festival.

However, for the past few years the animal rights activists in the country have been continuously opposing these acts of slaughtering of animals in such a manner. They have been requesting people to stop such inhuman acts of killing the innocent animals and instead have suggested them to offer fruits and vegetables to the Goddesses since they believe that it is mentioned no where in the Hindu religious books that such sacrifices appease the gods and goddesses.

尼泊尔节日
尼泊尔节日多，都与印度教有关系。参加尼泊尔节日庆典是您了解尼泊尔文化的...

根据尼泊尔旅游部门发放的资料，尼泊尔全国各种节日每年多达300多个。很少有国家像尼泊尔一样，为了节庆花费如此多的心血。尼泊尔人几乎每年要花三分之一的时间来从事节日活动。任何时候，只要你到尼泊尔，都会看到多姿多彩的节日庆典。
尼泊尔节日大都与宗教、农时有关。政府规定放假的节日有近50个。如“洒红节、佛诞节、圣线节、神牛节、黑天神节、妇女节、因陀罗节、赛马节、德赛因节、点灯节、驱鬼节、祀蛇节等。形式多种多样；包括举办庙会、跳舞、游行等等。节日使旅游者更进一步了解尼泊尔的社会风俗和文化艺术。一些重要和特别的节日包括：
洒红节Holi
尼泊尔最色彩缤纷、最欢乐的节日。尼历十一月下旬(公历3月)举行，历时7天，这一节日来源于女妖霍里却被烧成灰烬的神话故事，故而也称“霍里节”，节日期间除了自家人互相脸上或头上洒红粉，彼此祝福外。人们无论相识与否，走在街上都可以相互抛洒红粉。近年来，人们不仅抛洒红粉，还使用灌入了红色液体的水枪、气球等物品。如果你被淋成了一只红色的落汤鸡，千万不要生气，因为尼泊尔人视爱红为吉祥如意的象征。

德赛因节Dasei
尼泊尔最盛大、时间最长的节日，每年尼历六月(公历9——10月)举行，全国放假10——15天。犹如中国的春节，举国同庆，热闹非凡。“德赛因”是“第十”的意思。这一节日据说与印度史诗《罗摩衍那》有关。史诗中，罗摩在难近母女神的帮助下，于第十日战胜罗刹王，取得胜利。德赛因节期间有“设圣罐”、“取神花”等很多讲究，人们杀牲祭祀难近母女神。第九天的夜晚被称“德赛节之夜”，第十天则称为“胜利的第十日”。

佛诞节BuddhJayanti
纪念佛祖释迦牟尼诞辰的节日。每年尼历一月下旬(公历5月)举行。以蓝毗尼和加德满都的庆祝活动最为引人注目。节日前夕，前往蓝毗尼朝圣的僧侣、香客既有来自尼泊尔本国的信徒；也有来自中国、印度、泰国、缅甸、韩、日等世界各地的佛教徒。节日当天，蓝毗尼的僧人们会抬着佛祖玉像，举行隆重热烈的游行仪式。而在加德满都，成千上万的人云集在苏瓦扬布塔下，举行隆重的庆祝大会。

湿婆诞辰节
公历2——3月间，帕苏帕蒂寺要举办大规模的纪念湿婆诞辰的宗教庙会，从尼泊尔到印度会有数万人涌到这里敬拜湿婆。

尼历新年
尼官方通用的健日王纪元(Vikram Sanvat)的新年，在公历4月中旬。全国放假1天。

赛马节GhodaJatra
春季里加德满都最火爆的节日，尼历12月底(公历3——4月)举行。庆祝活动在加德满都市中心的通迪尔广场举行。活女神、国王、王后和皇家骑兵队都会出现，节日期间会举行赛马、马术、摩托车表演，偶尔也会举行阅兵仪式。

神牛节GaiJatra
公历8月中旬(尼历四月)举行。神牛节始于中世纪，起初只是人们怀念死去亲人的一项宗教社会活动。小孩子会被打扮成牛样，人们将组织带幽默和色彩缤纷的游行仪式。这一天，居住在尼泊尔全国各地的尼瓦尔人都举行庆祝活动。最为热闹的地方要数加德满都谷地的三座古都。

蒂吉节——尼泊尔妇女节
公历8——9月，尼泊尔会举行自己妇女节——蒂吉节。此时，随处可见穿红色纱丽的女子。她们斋戒、沐浴，然后到著名的帕殊帕底神庙向“湿婆林迦”祈福。已婚妇女求百年好合，待字闺中的女子则祈求能嫁给一位如意郎君。

点灯节Dihala
又称光明节,尼历七月(公历10——11月)举行，家家户户会点油灯、放鞭炮庆祝。节日持续5天。灯节(Dihala)灯节是尼泊尔全民族的喜庆节日，庆祝5天。第一天敬乌鸦；第二天敬狗；第三天敬拉克希米女神；第四天敬神牛；第五天为兄弟点吉祥痣。

圣线节
尼历四月(公历8月)举行——印度教更换圣线和戴祛灾线的日子。圣线由棉线或金线制成，斜挂在颈部或肩头，是教徒们举行成人仪式后佩带的护身物。这一天除更换圣线外，男女老少也要去神庙戴祛灾线。即由婆罗门祭司在受线者的手腕上(男右女左)缠绕几缕棉线。祛灾线要到尼历7月解下，并将其绑在一头黄牛的尾巴上。这意味着人死后，这头黄牛会驮你渡过阴森的黄泉。

黑天神节KrishnaJayanti
每年公历8月下旬(尼历5月)举行的庆祝黑天神诞生的节日。节日当天，加德满都河谷的人们会聚集在帕坦的黑天神庙周围，并一个个虔诚地入内朝拜。庙宇四周的台阶和栏杆上会点起大大小的油灯，广场上从早到晚坐满善男信女。人们吟诵着赞美黑天神的颂歌和宗教经典。据统计，每年至少会有5——6万人从尼泊尔及印度等地来此参加黑天神节的庆祝活动。

因陀罗节IndraJatra
公历9月(尼历五月)举行的盛大节日。在印度教里，因陀罗被视为云雨之神；在佛教里，因陀罗又是护法之神。节日里，首先会举行竖立因陀罗旗杆(经过密宗仪式并修饰过的一棵树干)的仪式。活女神库玛丽将乘坐华贵的彩车出巡。人群会戴上传统的尼泊尔面具跳舞。热烈的节日持续八天。在第八天夜晚会举行放倒因陀罗旗杆的宗教仪式。众人将因陀罗旗杆抬到河边焚成灰烬，因陀罗节也宣告结束。

马琴德拉纳特节MachindranathJatra
尼历一月(公历4——5月)举行,印度教徒、佛教徒共同庆祝。节日期间，在帕坦上会举行隆重的群众集会，人们会抬着马琴德拉纳特神像游行，并展示传说是马琴德拉纳特留下来的“勃拓”(Bhoto)——件镶满宝石的黑绒马甲。国王、王后、政府高官和外交使节也会前往观礼。

学习了！