dashain and tihar: merits and demerits
DESCRIPTION
dashain and tihar and their advantages , disadvantages, what should be added, what should be removed, their brief consequences for nation and nationalityTRANSCRIPT
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Table of contents:
1. Introduction.........................................................................................................1
1.1 Dashain:........................................................................................................1
1.2 Tihar or Deepawali:......................................................................................2
2. Positive aspects...................................................................................................3
3. Negative aspects..................................................................................................4
4. What should be added.........................................................................................5
5. What should be continued...................................................................................6
6. What should be given up.....................................................................................7
7. Description of picture..........................................................................................8
7.1 Dashain.........................................................................................................8
7.2 Tihar..............................................................................................................9
8. Conclusion.........................................................................................................10
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1. IntroductionDashain and Tihar are two great festivals; celebrated in Nepal. Blessing, harmony,
peace and fun are bestowed in these two auspicious occasions all over the country.
Both the festival marks the happiness and represent our country as rich in culture
& tradition.
1.1 Dashain:
Dashain, which is celebrated during Sept-Oct., is the greatest festival of Nepal.
Known as Durga Pooja, it is the national festival and it is observed especially by
Hindus. The Goddess Durga is prayed for nine days during the festival. On this
occasion, the family members, who have gone outside, come home to celebrate the
festival. On the tenth day of the festival, youngsters take tika and blessings from
the elders. On this day, many people visit the Royal Palace to take tika from Their
Majesties the King and Queen every year. The first day of the festival is called
"Ghatansthapana" when people sow seeds of corn in a tiny vessel filled with clay
and water. The vessel is put in the prayer room. People pray to the Goddess Durga
every morning. They also visit different Hindu temples. It is believed that the
Goddess Durga, whose steed is a ferocious lion, was able to kill a Mahisasur
(buffalo). Her victory is symbolized as the defeat over evil.
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1.2 Tihar or Deepawali:
Tihar is regarded as the second largest festival after Dashain in Nepal. The
festival of lights is celebrated for five days in November. People pray to the
Goddess Laxmi, the concert of Lord Vishnu during Tihar. The Goddess Laxmi
is also considered to be the main Goddess of wealth and good fortune. On the
fifth or last day of the festival, brothers take tika from sisters. The sisters also
offer sweets and other food items and cloths to their brothers. It is believed that
brothers become safe from death and other evils after taking tika and garlands
from their sisters during Tihar. During the festival, dogs, cows and oxen and
properties are also prayed.
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2. Positive aspects
i. We are taught to love and beloved.
ii. Both festivals teach us peace and prosperity prevail our country and
countrymen.
iii. Work as bridge by Saving ancestors culture and tradition for future
ancestors.
iv. Time for fun, great way to spend time with family and friends
v. Represents Nepal as richer in cultural diversity
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3. Negative aspects
i. More practice of animal sacrifices in Dashain.
ii. People play cards and gambling where they lose their properties and
many even lose their home which can destroy their own and family life.
iii. They use lot of money even by taking loan .i.e. the use money out of their
capacity.
iv. It brings happiness in one side but other side it becomes tension in poor
family.
v. More chance of insecurity throughout country: theft, robbery or
accidents.
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4. What should be added
i. A security mechanism throughout the country highway is much important as
there is high risk of accidents.
ii. The identity of a nation fades away when its cultural belief fades away. To
avoid such a situation to surface, Hindus, Buddhists and Nepali
people scattered across the world must initiate something serious to save
our cultural heritage.
iii. Quarrel or fight may arise due to use of over dose of alcohol so security
personnel should be put on duty.
iv. There should be more restrictions of playing dice, gambling or strict law
against drug smuggling.
v. Vehicle-fair should be controlled and over-view by government personnel
time and again.
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5. What should be continued
i. Tradition of receiving blessing from elders.
ii. Visiting relatives and enjoying with them forgetting sorrows and enemy
feelings.
iii. Tihar plays to keep good relation among brothers or sisters.
iv. Praying different gods and worshipping animals with love and respect.
v. Different procedures for preserving both festivals must be continued.
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6. What should be given up
i. The other dark side of this festival is the mass killing (or one may
customarily say 'sacrifice') of animals in the name of worshiping Goddess
Durga. People kill and eat meat but not in the name of God which is another
most hatred and in humanistic way how it is being practiced.
ii. Use of fireworks in Tihar
iii. Use of over alcohol
iv. Gambling by taking over loan
v. Raising fund in the name of festivals
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7. Description of picture
7.1 Dashain
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7.2 Tihar
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8. Conclusion Dashain & Tihar are the most auspicious festivals. They are also marked by
reunion of the families. People living abroad and far from their dear ones are set to
return back (at least they try to get back) home on this occasion. The festival gives
us a wonderful opportunity to be together with all our family members. One can't
ignore the significant socio-cultural aspect of this festival. Youngsters pay their
respects towards elders especially on the tenth day. They receive blessings of the
elders in the form of auspicious 'Tika' on their forehead.
Without religious discrimination either Hinduism or Buddhism even Muslims
celebrate happily. But some Nepalese people coming under the Christian influence
have been able to create illusions aiming at the people to boycott the great
festival. This is a matter of regret for our country. But the indigenous people from
broad tell that boycotting Dashain may not solve the issues they are raising today.
Many social activists are against animal mass killing in the name of goddess as
exhibition of animal cruelty, barbarism.
It has been very important issues on how we celebrate these national festivals, facts
to be considered for preserving them and lessons, we need to learn from these
festivals. Only enjoying do not mean to celebrate respecting, loving and caring
ones should be adopted and more celebrating each festivals with showing
discipline can be a significant.
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