KATHMANDU, Oct 25: Nepal’s 15-day Dashain festival, the country’s biggest Hindu festival, concludes today with prayers to Mahalakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and an all-night vigil.
Kojagrat Purnima, observed on the full moon day of the lunar month of Ashwin, marks the end of Dashain. Devotees worship Mahalakshmi in the evening and stay awake throughout the night.
The Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Development Committee said all ritual offerings prescribed by Hindu scriptures must also be completed today. With these rituals concluded, the practice of receiving tika and jamara, blessed during Dashain, along with blessings from elders, also comes to an end. People also take their jamara to nearby rivers, lakes, ponds and other sacred sites for disposal.
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Dashain begins on the first day of the bright fortnight of Ashwin and is celebrated by Nepalis according to their means and traditions.
Committee chairperson and associate professor Purushottam Bhattarai said the festival is observed based on the religious belief that Mahalakshmi visits homes where people worship her in the evening and stay awake through the night, blessing them with wealth and prosperity.
Mahalakshmi is one of the three forms of Goddess Durga. Worshipping her today marks the end of Durga Paksha, the period dedicated to the goddess. Although Navaratri ends on Vijaya Dashami, Durga Paksha continues until the full moon day of Ashwin.
Kojagrat Purnima holds special significance because Mahalakshmi is worshipped 15 days before Laxmi Puja, which falls during Tihar. The full moon is also known as Kaumudi.
Bhattarai said tradition also permits gambling on this night. Devotees are also expected to worship Indra, the Hindu god of rain and heaven, depicted riding an elephant.
According to calendars approved by the committee, the month-long Kartik rituals, including the daily ritual bath and special worship of the holy basil plant, will begin on Monday, November 2. The practice of lighting and offering akash-deep will also begin on Monday evening.