Vijaya Dashain

Dashain, the longest and the most auspicious Hindu festival in the Nepali calendar, celebrated by the Nepalis of all caste and creed is being observed throughout the country on Tuesday.
The 15 days of celebration occurs during the bright lunar fortnight ending on the day of the full moon.

Dashain is celebrated with great rejoice, and Durga is worshiped throughout the country as the divine mother goddess.

Dashain commemorates a great victory of the gods over the demons.

The first nine days signify the nine days of ferocious battle between Goddess Durga and Mahisasur. The 10th day is the day when Mahisasur was slain and the last five days symbolise the celebration of the victory with the blessing of the goddess.

The first day of Dashain is called Ghatasthapana, which literally means “setting up the pot”. On this day the kalash--holy water vessel--symbolising goddess Durga often with her image embossed on the side is placed in the prayer room.

The Ghatasthapana ritual is performed at a certain auspicious moment determined by the astrologers. At that particular moment the priest intones a welcome, requesting goddess Durga to bless the vessel with her presence.