October 24: Today (October 24) is the tenth day of Dashain, the biggest festival of the Hindus residing in Nepal. On this day, people of all caste and creed seek blessings from the elderly. 

People from far and away return home to celebrate this festival which spans over 15 days on the bright half of the lunar calendar in the Nepali month of Ashwin (mid-September to mid-October). This year, however, the festival was delayed by a few weeks as per the lunar calendar.   

On this day, devotees worship Goddess Bhavani Siddhi Datri, who is considered the embodiment of victory.

This day is celebrated as the day of victory of good over the evil.

Holy texts mention that Lord Shiva, the destroyer of the world, invoked Goddess Siddhi Datri on this day and acquired the form of the all-powerful Ardha-nareshwar, which means half male and half female.

It is also said that Lord Vishnu, during his incarnation as Lord Ram, worshipped various forms of Goddess Bhavani during the nine nights of Dashain to obtain blessings to defeat the demon king Ravan.

The goddesses which are invoked during the first nine days of the festival are bade farewell on the tenth day. With the end of worshipping begins merrymaking. People celebrate the festival for the next five days until the full moon day. They visit their near and dear ones to pay respect.

Elderly people give blessings of longevity to the younger members of the family.

According to Nepal Calendar Determination Committee, the auspicious time for receiving ‘tika’ and blessings this year is 11: 02 am. 

One of the special features of the Dashain festival is the swing. People, especially children, play swing during this festival. There is a belief that one must leave the ground at least once in a year and therefor the Hindus of Nepal opt to play swing as per this belief.

Children also fly kite during the Dashain festival. Culture experts interpret it as a symbolic message to Lord Indra, the God of rain and good harvest, to stop rainfall.