Dashain Holiday

Today was one of several days throughout the Hindu Dashain holiday. I'm not exactly sure why, but today is a special day in that typically, most Nepali families all gather to offer tikah (a red rice and paste mixture) to one another and to celebrate the harvest time in Nepal. Along with making animal sacrifices, receiving tikah is a hallmark of this Hindu celebration. Although I am living with a Tibetan Buddhist family, I had an opportunity today to celebrate the holiday with a Nepali friend and his family. Today was definitely one of my favorite days since being here in Nepal. All of the women were dressed in their beautiful and ornate saris, an elaborate Nepali meal was prepared, and the family celebrated the biggest holiday of the year. In many ways, it reminded me of the way many Christians celebrate Christmas in the United States, as my family does. For the first time since I've been here (and probably for the last time all year) the streets of Kathmandu were empty. Everything was closed and not even the vegetable and fruit stands were set up for shop. Just like on Christmas in the United States, the only thing open for business was the movie theater!

The elders in a Nepali family offer Tikah to the younger members of the family. As the day continues, everyone who is older than you offers you tikah on your forehead. Therefore, by the end of the day, the smallest child in the family usually has a full forehead full of red, rice paste. Traditional music played in the background, while each family member lined up to first receive tikah and then give tikah to the children. I feel very blessed and lucky to have been invited to this celebration. It was truly a memorable experience and one that I will never forget.