15th day of Dashain / Final day of Dashain or Last day of Dashain festival, Kojagrat Purnima :- Kojagrat Purnima is the final day of the lengthiest festival of Nepal, Bada Dashain. This year, Kojagrat Purnima is on October 30th, 15 days after the first day of Ghatasthapana. With the final rituals performed on this day, the festivities come to an end for the year. This day marks the end of the greatest festival of Nepal, Bada Dashain.
Dashain in Nepal
Dashain in Nepal is a huge celebration of “Power or Women” and “Victory of Good over Evil.” For over 15 days, all Nepalese forget their regular busy schedule of work or study and indulge in each day’s festivities with friends and family with zeal.
For the rituals and festivities to be performed during the festival, Nepalese prepare for the festivities months ahead of the actual celebration to make sure everything goes perfect. People flock to the market to buy the essential items for the festival. Dashain 2077 is starting from October 17th, and Nepalese scattered worldwide are already getting the Festival Fever.
Ghatasthapana marks the start of the festival. Ghatasthapana is one of the most important days as with Ghatasthapana rituals’ performance, the festival starts. On this day, Nepalese perform the way of establishing a Kalash or Pot at home as a symbol of inviting Goddess Durga over for the next 15 days.
The Kalash represents Goddess Durga herself and is kept at the house for performing the following day’s rituals. Along with establishing Kalash at home, each household also plants Jamara on this day, a holy grass sprouted from Barley that is plucked on the 10th day, Vijaya Dashami.
Following the first day, the celebrations start. On the following days, Nepalese perform numerous rituals dedicated to the Goddess Durga and her various manifestations or avatars. The early nine days are devoted to the puja of Nava Durga and is also called Navratri.
The celebrations lead to the 10th day, which is the most important day as on this day Nepalese take tika and jamara from elders and get blessings for continuous prosperity and long life.
Significance of Dashain
In Nepal, Dashain is known as “Mahan Chhad,” which means the most fantastic festival. It is undoubtedly the most celebrated festival celebrated by all Nepalese irrespective of age, gender, or cultural inclination. This festival is the perfect example that defines “Unity in Diversity.”
Each Nepalese celebrate this beautiful festival with lots of love and fun. We have been celebrating this festival for an indefinite past, and each year, all Nepalese look forward to celebrating this beautiful festival. Hence, it has immense cultural as well as emotional impact on the Nepalese.
Dashain is also significant in terms of Mythology. As per ancient Hindu mythology, this festival is being celebrated as a remembrance of the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahisasura. As per Mythology, in the “Satya Yuga,” in a battle between good and evil, Goddess Durga claimed her victory over the evil, liberating the entire world from his terrorizing action.
It is believed that since this, Hindus have been celebrating the festival in honor of the great Goddess Durga. Hence, this festival has historical, cultural, and mythological importance and significance to all Nepalese scattered worldwide.
The Last Day of Dashain : 15th day of Dashain Festival
Kojagrat Purmina, called Purnima, is the final day of Dashain when the Goddess Laxmi is worshipped. Goddess Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth, is honored based on the Hindu Mythological rituals or instructions. It is believed that on this night, Goddess Laxmi descends on the earth and provide prosperity and wealth to those who stay awake all night in honor of the Goddess. To stay awake all night, people spend time playing cards and getting together with the family.
The festival starts with the setting up of the Kalash or pot that signifies Goddess Durga. On the last day, the Kalash and its contents are taken away from the house and submerged into a river nearby. This act of submerging the Kalash or Pot in the holy water symbolizes sending Goddess Durga to her home, ending the festival.
Once the Kalash is taken out of the Dashain Ghar (Pooja Room), the Dashain festival for the year officially ends. It ends the 15 day long rituals, fun, happiness, and divinity, hoping to celebrate the festival next year with equal passion and honor towards the Goddess Durga.
Similarly, taking tika and jamara from the elders is continued from the 10th day to the 15th day. On this day as well, people visit their relatives to get the blessings from them for lifelong happiness and prosperity.
Hence, with the rituals performed on the festival’s final day, all Nepalese bid farewell to the festival for the year.
How to celebrate Dashain in 2020 amidst Global Pandemic
As we all know, COVID-19 pandemic has spread throughout the world. Nepal is not untouched by the effect of this pandemic. Thousands of people have been contracting the coronavirus each passing day, and even more people are staying quarantined at home or other isolation centers.
In this condition, the Dashain 2077 is expected to be a little different from the earlier celebrations. It is recommended to everyone to celebrate this festival with more cautious. It is better to celebrate this festival in a small group with close family and relatives rather than in the crowd to curb the virus’s spread at the community level.
With this recommendation, we would like to wish everyone a pleased Dashain 2077. May goddess Durga bless everyone with prosperity, long life, and happiness. Enjoy this most fantastic festival with your loved ones and be happy.
Happy Dashain 2077!