Dashain Celebration Of Celebrities 

After a year of hard work and hectic schedules, everyone looks forward to moments of relaxation and joy. Dashain, Nepal’s longest and most significant festival, offers just that—a break from the daily grind, an opportunity for families and relatives to come together, and a chance to reconnect with loved ones. 

This year, the joy of Dashain has been overshadowed by recent floods and landslides, which have devastated many areas within the country. With roads destroyed, countless people are unable to return to their hometowns, hindering their ability to fully enjoy the festivities.

 Traditionally celebrated between September and October, this year’s Dashain began on October 3. In light of the celebrations, The Rising Nepal spoke with Nepali celebrities to learn about their plans for this year’s Dashain. Here are excerpts from their conversations. 

Kunti Moktan (singer) 

We celebrate Dashain modestly in Kathmandu without planting Jamara. We just use Tika and flowers. Back in our village in Darjeeling, the celebrations began a month in advance. I remember our parents walking 3 to 4 hours to the market to buy new clothes a month before Dashain. We were not allowed to wear them until the festival, making us excited for the big day. In our village, a goat used to be slaughtered in one place, and everyone would come to collect the meat. 

In Kathmandu, with meat shops everywhere, that communal excitement is gone. The charm of Dashain has been diminishing, especially here in the city. For wealthier families, every day feels like Dashain. In our time, we waited all year for new clothes and the joy of eating meat, but today, even children get new clothes and meat regularly. They no longer feel the same excitement when wearing something new. With rising market prices and stagnant income, the grandeur of Dashain has faded. The festival feels less special when everything that was once exclusive to Dashain is now a regular occurrence. 

Jitu Nepal (actor, comedian) 

This year, I will be celebrating Dashain with my family in Kathmandu. I will be quite busy promoting my film, ‘Jwai Saab,’ which is set to release on October 10, marking the occasion of Phulpati. Along with meeting my dear ones and relatives, I will visit cinema halls and interact with audiences to get feedback on my film. Dashain always brings back memories of my childhood celebrations in my village, Jyamire, Sindhupalchok.

Back then, we used to wait for Dashain to get new clothes, and the smell of the new clothes was so pleasing. We also used to set up swings in the village and enjoy playing on them. Another highlight of Dashain during my childhood was the bitten rice and mutton. As I have grown older, responsibilities have increased, and priorities have changed. The excitement of wearing new clothes has faded over the years, but I still make it a point to visit Devi temples as much as possible during the festival. 

This year, however, things are a bit different. Our country has recently experienced flash floods, leading to road blockages. I urge everyone to stay safe and travel carefully. We can always celebrate Dashain next year, but people’s safety is more important.

Saugat Malla (actor)

I celebrate Dashain in Kathmandu with my family and friends. Meeting relatives and receiving blessings from elders are some of the best aspects of the festival. As a child, I was always excited to wear new clothes, and we would receive money from elders, which I would use to buy comic books—my favourite. This year, I’ll be busy with several film shoots, including Balidan and Pitambar. Dashain was more exciting during my childhood, but nowadays it doesn’t feel quite the same. We used to celebrate in my village, Nawalparasi, but now we celebrate in Kathmandu. I wish everyone a happy Dashain and a prosperous year ahead. For those travelling, I encourage you to celebrate wherever you are and travel safely!

Niti Shah (actress) 

As a child, we used to play on swings in Kathmandu, but nowadays, the city is filled with houses, leaving no space for swings like we had back then. Now, we gather with family and relatives, play cards, and enjoy each other’s company by sharing our feelings and emotions during Dashain.

I was born and raised in Kathmandu, and I remember the many farms and open spaces near my house, where we used to play on swings. Unfortunately, there is no longer such space in Kathmandu for the current generation of kids to enjoy as we once did. During Dashain, we prepare traditional foods like Fini, Malpuwa, Selroti and various dishes. Although I am not a vegetarian, I stopped eating mutton after witnessing a goat being butchered, which left a lasting impact on me. 

This year, I am quite swamped with my work as my film ‘Jwai Saab’ is releasing on Phulpati, and I am busy shooting another film, ‘Narasimha Avatar’. Despite Dashain being Nepal's greatest festival, the current situation in the country, particularly due to the recent floods, is concerning. I urge everyone to prioritise safety and avoid travelling if it puts lives at risk. 

(Dhakal is a journalist at The Rising Nepal.)