Dashain festival changes with modern life in Nepal
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In Nepal’s Lamjung district, people recall a time when preparing for Dashain, a major Hindu festival, involved crafting bamboo swings and decorating villages with colorful kites.
Hari Krishna Tiwari, 72, remembers a childhood where getting a new outfit for Dashain was a rare treat, and families made clothes from available materials. Back then, celebrations centered around community games, visits with relatives, and receiving blessings.
Today, while the tradition of exchanging tika (a colored powder applied to the forehead), jamara (sprouted barley), and blessings continues, the lively atmosphere of communal play and gatherings has diminished in many areas. People are leaving villages for work, and modern lifestyles are changing how Dashain is celebrated. Suvas Gurung, a local youth, notes that while Dashain remains important, the focus has shifted from traditional games and socializing to eating, shopping, and spending time on mobile phones.
Dhangu Gurung, 63, recalls a time when the festival was a collective experience, with women preparing food and decorations, and family members eagerly awaiting the return of those serving in the Indian army. Now, with more young people seeking opportunities elsewhere, the sense of community and shared tradition is fading, raising concerns about preserving Nepal’s cultural heritage.
