It’s Bada Dasain and Tihar, stupid!

by ALOK TUMBAHANGPHEY

FROM ISSUE # 119 (November 2005) | IN THIS ISSUE
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Little things make big differences. When it comes to everyday conversation, we are often unaware of how we influence or are influenced by the use of certain words and phrases. Take festive greetings for example. We say Happy Bijaya Dasami and Shuva Deepawali without the least thought to its origins.

Nepal's complex socio-cultural network contributes to its uniqueness. Regional religious politics have tried to bind us up with big brother, our southern neighbour. We might be the smaller brother but hey, who says, we don't have our own identity?

Bada Dasain and Tihar are truly Nepali festivals and not just the "biggest festival of the Hindus". Nepalis take the trouble to grow jamara and go through the whole nine-day tradition, which Hindus in other countries don't. There are two Dasains in our Bikram Sambat calendar: Chaitay Dasain and Bada Dasain. The October Dasain is called the Bada Dasain not just because of the mythological victory of good over evil but also because it's the season when farmers all over the land reap the fruits of the year's hard labour. Festivals are a way of saying 'thank you' to Mother Nature and what better way than sharing your joy with family and friends.

Close at the heels of Bada Dasain is Tihar, which most Indians refer to as Diwali or Deepawali. According to Hindu mythology, it was a new moon night when Ram returned to his capital Ayodhya after defeating Rawan. Every house was decorated with lights to welcome the king. In Nepal, this is given a more local flavour. Tihar, which is a generic word for festival, is actually Yamapanchak or the five days for worshipping Yamaraj, king of the netherworld. Among the many myths, one story goes: Yamaraj was so busy taking people to hell that he had no time for his sister Yamuna. Yamuna asked her brother to stay with her for five days so she could pray for him. During these five days, Yamaraj was to abstain from duty so no one would die.

Of the five days, the first day is for worshipping the crow, Yamaraj's messenger. Crows are scavenger birds that help keep the environment clean. By feeding crows on Kaag Puja, you thank them for all their contribution to the good health of citizens. No prizes for guessing why the dog is worshipped on Kukur Puja, the second day of Yamapanchak. Man's best friend guards earthly homes and supposedly also the gates of hell. The cow, vehicle of Laxmi, goddess of wealth, is worshipped as a sacred symbol of wealth and piety on the third day. In the evening, groups of young girls go around singing bhailo, asking for alms and blessing homes. Cultural historians have not yet been able to find out where or how the tradition of deusi-bhailo started. In Dallu, west Nepal, the cradle of the Nepali or Khas language, there is an Sanskrit inscription on a stone that says, "Balinadana surena bhaliosailo pracharita" meaning King Bali started the tradition of Bhailo. This king Bali, however, is not the Bali mentioned in the Puran (Sugreeva's elder brother in Ramayan) but an actual historic figure. That is why a part of the bhailo song says, "We have not come just like that, King Bali sent us."

Gobardhan Puja is a way of saying 'thank you' to the bull for ploughing the fields. Deusirey is sung on this night and is, again, purely a Nepali practice. Young men go around singing songs, asking for alms and giving blessings. The word 'deusirey' means to give one's head for blessing.

On the last day of Tihar, Yamuna performed the final act of worship on Yamaraj. The grass garland of or makhmali flowers and the ring of oil poured around the brother signify long life and good health. Sisters worship brothers on Bhaitika and pray for them. Brothers, in turn, promise to love and protect their sisters. Thus ends another festival. Happy Tihar!