Dashain - the festival of togetherness

BY CHANDRA PANDAK,Taplejung, Oct. 29: Dashain is the time for family reunion, celebration and exchange of gifts and blessings. Family members separated due to work and study gather during Dashain to celebrate together with joy and happiness. 

Mostly people of rural areas who have migrated to cities in search of better opportunities return to their hometowns making villages lively and vibrant.

Khel Prasad Budhachhetri, who had not been able to meet his family for long time, expressed his happiness for being able to meet his family during Dashain this year. 

Budhachhetri, a resident of Sirijangha Rural Muncipality-5 and also a central member of CPN (Maoist Centre) said that Dashain festival not only provides an opportunity for Nepali to celebrate but also allows relatives and family members to reunite.

He said, “During Dashain people return back to their native villages and we get to meet friends and relative who were away from us for years.”

Similarly, Sanjay Pandey, a resident of Sidingba Rural Municipality-4, said that during the festival people gather in one place. 

This brings happiness among the family members, he added.

On the other hand, the country observes its longest public holiday during Dashain as the festival is celebrated for several days. During the festival all government offices, educational institutions and even markets remain closed. Therefore, people staying away from their family members for various reasons get enough time to return their home.