The Nepalese people indulge in the biggest festival of the year, Dashain. Dashain is the longest and the most auspicious festival in the Nepalese annual calendar, celebrated by Nepalese of all caste and creed throughout the country. The fifteen days of celebration occurs during the bright lunar fortnight ending on the day of the full moon. Thorough out the kingdom of Nepal the goddess Durga in all her manifestations are worshiped with innumerable pujas, abundant offerings and thousands of animal sacrifices for the ritual holy bathing, thus drenching the goddess for days in blood.
Dashain commemorates a great victory of the gods over the wicked demons. One of the victory stories told is the Ramayan, where the lord Ram after a big struggle slaughtered Ravana, the fiendish king of demons. It is said that lord Ram was successful in the battle only when goddess Durga was evoked. The main celebration glorifies the triumph of good over evil and is symbolized by goddess Durga slaying the terrible demon Mahisasur, who terrorised the earth in the guise of a brutal water buffalo. The first nine days signify the nine days of ferrous battle between goddess Durga and the demon Mahisasur. The tenth day is the day when Mahisasur was slain and the last five days symbolise the celebration of the victory with the blessing of the goddess. Dashain is celebrated with great rejoice, and goddess Durga is worshiped throughout the kingdom as the divine mother goddess.
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| Dashain Greetings |
Day 01 :
05-Oct-2013 Kathmandu: Arrival Kathmandu, transfer to hotel, check in Hotel rest Evening dinner and Overnight stay at Hotel. The first day of Dashain is called ‘Ghatasthapana’, which means ‘the establishing of the holy water vessel,’ when the ‘kalash’ water jug representing Goddess Durga, often with her image embossed on the side, is placed the prayer room or some blessed and purified area of the home. It is filled with holy water and the outside decorated with designs in cow dung into which are sown barley seeds and other grains. Surrounding piles of sand are also seeded with grain. The priest or householder intones a welcome, beseeching Durga to bless the vessel with her presence.
Day 02 :
06-Oct-2013 Kathmandu - Lumbini: Morning after breakfast at hotel, sight seeing tour to Pashupatinath, hen drive to Airport fly to Lumbini, Arrival Check in hotel rest Lunch at hotel after lunch Visit Ashoka Piller, Birthplace of Buddha and Maya Garden, Evening Dinner at hotel and Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 03 :
07-Oct-2013 Lumbini-Chitwan: Morning after Breakfast, then Drive to Chitwan, Arrival transfer to Royal Chitwan National Park, check in hotel rest, noon Lunch at Lodge after lunch, Tharu (indigenous people) Village Tour & Bird Watching tour with nature guide, evening Sunset tour at bank of Rapti river, dinner at lodge & Slide show about the National Park and Animals, overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 04 :
08-Oct-2013 Chitwan: Morning after breakfast, Canoeing in Rapti River with watching Crocodiles and visit the Elephant Breeding Center, back to Rapti River’s bank for Elephant bath, noon after lunch, Elephant Back Safari to the National Park, evening after Bar-B-Q Dinner, Tharu Stick Dance Program- overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 05 :
09-Oct-2013 Chitwan-Pokhara: Morning after breakfast, Jungle Walk tour with Jungle guide, then drive to Pokhara- arrival at noon, Check in Hotel, lunch at Hotel, then one hour boating in Phewa Lake, rest, evening dinner and overnight stay at hotel.
Day 06 :
10-Oct-2013 Pokhara-Dhampus: Early morning drive to Sarangkot with packing breakfast, See the Sunrise & Mountain View, breakfast then Trek to Dhampus, noon Lunch at Naudanda after lunch continues trek to Dhampus arrival check in Guest house rest, Evening Dinner and overnight stay at Guest House.
Day 07 :
11-Oct-2013 Dhampus-Pokhara: Today is seventh days ceremony of Deshain festival. The seventh day of Dashain is called ‘Fulpati’, meaning sacred flowers and leaves, when the kalash or sacred Durga vessel of the royal family is ‘established’ in the Dashain Ghar of the old royal palace at Hanuman Dhoka with pomp and ceremony befitting the might of the Throne. The royal kalash, filled with a bouquet tall flowers, banana stalks, holy leaves and sugar cane tied with red cloth, is carried by men from the ancestral royal house in Gorkha forty-three miles and three walking-days over hills to the northwest. Early morning see the Beautiful Mountain and Sunrise from hotel, breakfast then Trek down to Phedi catch the Taxi or Van and drive back to Pokhara arrival check in hotel rest, noon Lunch at Monsoon Restaurant after lunch Sight seeing tour to David’s Fall, Tibetan Refugee Camp & Gupteshwor Cave, Evening Dinner and Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 08 :
12-Oct-2013 Pokhara-Kathmandu-Nagarkot: Today is the day of Maha Asthami, the great eighth day, the fervour of worship and sacrifice to Durga and Kali increases. Orthodox Hindus fast all through the day in preparation Kalratri, the black night, when hundreds of buffalo, goat sheep, chickens and ducks are sacrificed at the Mother Goddess temples. While others are pierced through the heart, have their throats cut or their heads severed- all in the name of Goddess Kali. Morning, Breakfast then transfer to Airport fly back to Kathmandu, arrival Kathmandu, transfer to City for Lunch, lunch at Restaurant with viewing the Kathmandu City, after Visit Kathmandu Durbar Square then drive to beautiful Hill Station “Nagarkot”-check in Hotel, Sunset tour, rest, dinner and overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 09 :
13-Oct-2013 Nagarkot-Kathmandu: Today is the great ninth day, Maha Nawami, called Nawa Ratri or ninth night, people rush to the temples with gifts, animals and prayers for the Mother Goddesses. Newars call this day ‘Sakyo Tyako’ believing that ‘the more you kill, the more you gain.’ Especially on this ninth day, but also throughout the year at certain times, Newars have the head of their sacrificed goat cut into eight specific parts- two eyes, two ears, one Nose, one tongue and to jaws- which are bound and tied back into place with a reed. This re-assembled head is cooked and carried to the home of the eldest male relative- usually the father. Eight men, seated on the Floor in a row according to seniority, are offered the head. Each eats that portion which tradition allots to his rank – another of the countless ancient customs the Newars religiously follow to maintain the vital bonds of ancestral family organization. Morning visit Bhaktapur and visit Nawa Durga temple, where you can see the great ninth day’s ceremony- after looking ceremony- visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square then drive to Nagarkot for Sunset and overnight stay at hotel Early Morning Sunset Tour after breakfast, then Drive to Bhaktapur Visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square and Patan Durbar Square noon Lunch at Restaurant in Patan then Visit Soyambhunath and Bouddhanath evening dinner at a typical Nepali Restaurant named Nepali Chulo With live Nepali Cultural Dance on folk music, drive to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 10 :
14-Oct-2013 Kathmandu-Departure: Today’ is the day of peak celebration, and the official conclusion of Dashain is reached on Vijaya Dashami, the great tenth day of victory from which dashain takes its name. This is the dasy on which Lord Raman slew the demon Ravenna, and Durga appeared in a great fury, riding on a lion to vanquish mahisaura in response to fervent prayers from gods and men. Their triumphant victories sent waves of jubilation through heaven and earth marking the triumph of the power of righteousness over all that is evil. Holy baths are taken and there is a last minute rush to the temples of Durga with offering the gifts for the gods. It is obligatory for Hindus on this day of victory to visit all elders relatives and superiors in strict order of seniority or rank, starting with parents. Unless one has a vital and valid excuse failure to appear is an offence of utmost gravity, signifying that all relationships are served. Some newars who throughout Dashain have been celebrating traditional feasts and ceremonies where the entire family clan is involved, may not observe this custom, paying instead an honorary visit to their employers or superiors. When the king of Nepal receives the official Tika blessing at the palace from the royal Brahmans priest as prasad or blessing from goddess Durga- a thirty-one-gun salute reverberates round the valley. Morning after breakfast at hotel, then transfer to International Airport for onward journey.
Cost Include On
-All Transportation .
-3 meals per day during the trek (breakfast, lunch & dinner) including the coffee and tea.
-Accommodation in tea house or provided tents during the trek as mentioned in the trek type.
-Accommodation including breakfast at 3-4 star hotels in Kathmandu.
-Highly experienced Government licensed guide and necessary porters during the trek.
-Government / Local taxes, Tourist service charge, guide / porter insurance and salary, general equipment, national park and conservation area fees.
-Kathmandu City Tour with an Experienced Tour Guide ( Kathmandu Valley) depends on your time frame.
-Airport transfers.
Costs does not include On
-Trekking Gears
-Major meals, Lunch and dinner during your stay in Kathmandu
-Any type of personal expenses, such as alcoholic beverages and drinks, phone and laundry.
-Rescue & travel insurance, accident or health emergency, evacuation, loss, theft or damage to baggage and personal effects.
-Tips & Gratuities
Note: We strongly advise you to take out personal travel insurance.
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