Netra Kafley, SHIM Fatherhood Program Coordinator
Working at SHIM, I have the pleasure of meeting people from many cultural backgrounds. We enjoy learning from each other and sharing our traditions.
As a former Refugee who moved to the US 14 years ago, I value my ability to celebrate Hindu holidays like Dashara.
Dashara is also known as Vijayadashami (Sanskrit), Dashara or Dashain and is a major Hindu festival celebrated by the Hindu community. This festival usually falls in September or October, depending on the Lunar Calendar. The exact dates vary each year, as it depends on the position of the Moon. This festival celebrates the victory of good over evil and is observed by Hindu. The festival lasts for 15 days, with each day having its own significance, rituals, and celebrations. “Vijaya” means victory and “Dashami” means tenth day on the lunar fortnight. The main highlight of the festival, Vijayadashami, occurs on the tenth day when families come together to exchange blessings and apply Tika (a mixture of rice, yogurt, and vermilion) on each other’s foreheads.
I usually celebrate by blessing my children first, then we go to my parents’ house. My siblings also come along with their family. My family gather in our Parents’ house with cultural dresses on, cooking cultural food, and getting blessing from our parents by applying flower and Tika on our foreheads. After that, we go to other relatives’ houses like my in-laws or uncles to continue the festival.
This year, people celebrate Vijayadashami on Oct 23, and some do on 24th as well, depending on if they follow the Calendar which is developed based on Nepal’s time, or America’s time. Whichever day you celebrate, I wish you peace, prosperity, and Happiness! Happy Vijayadashami!!
