Bada Dasain(The Greatest Hindu Festival)

Bada Dasain is a big day for the entire Hindu community. The beginning of this festival is marked by the ceremonial setting of holy water jars in the Nepalese homes on the first day of the-bright fortnight of Ashwin (Oct). The ceremonial water jar locally known as KALASHA, symbolises 'primordial Shakti' or Devi Durga worship, during the entire celebration of festival which is to 'ast for ten long days. This is the reason why this festival is given the name `Dasain' which means the ten days celebrations. However, this celebration picks up the real ceremonial airs only from the eighth day and it goes on till the tenth day-known as Vijaya Dashami Day, meaning the Victory Day. One of the fascinating features of this festival is the animal sacrifice. The day set for the animal sacrifice is the Mahastami Day which is the eighth day of the celebration. Thousands and thousands of animals are sacrificed on this day. The sacrificial activity starts at late mid-night and, generally, continues till noon the next day. The point of time prescribed for the animal sacrifice in the Shastras and holy scriptures is the mid-night of the Mahastami Day, which is locally known as MAMA KAAL RATRI, meaning the great dark night. Sacrificing so many animals to different gods and goddesses for the celebration of DASAIN may sound strange and very primitive to the non-Hindus but the ritual has a very interesting background.

Significance
 It must be remembered that the final goal of Hindu religion is liberation or Mokshya. There are four free ways to reach liberation. They are generally known as Dharma (right action, Artha (economic efficiency), Kama (devotion tip family) and Mokshya (liberation). Some people think that the Hindu way of life is very pessimistic and that it does not leave much room for one's liberty. This is not true. As a matter of fact, one is free enough to choose his own way to reach the final goal, which is MOKSHYA or liberation. Hindu religious culture teaches one and all to enjoy every thing enjoyable and to stay away from that which has already been enjoyed. In other words, it does not want to go through the same thing over and over again. The Hindu approach to liberation is very materialistic in the beginning. The Hindus believe that the spiritual aspect of Hindu religion can be well understood when through its materialistic aspect. To put it another way, detachment (Mukti) has to come from attachment (Anurakti).

 Strong feeling for sacrifice is accepted as the most effective means to reach the higher stage of Mokshya. There are many kinds of sacrifice. To give away foods and clothes to the poor and needy in charity is also a kind of sacrifice. Fasting for meritorious purpose, devoting oneself to the noble cause of social welfare and offering rice, flowers and fruits to the temple deities are all different forms of sacrifice and have their own sacrificial values. However, the animal sacrifice seems to have been the most popular form of sacrifice. It is interesting to note that the Hindus never sacrifice the female animals. Such a respect they have for all kinds of female animals, However, there are only five kinds of sacrifice animals. They are water buffaloes, goats, chicken, ducks and sheep. These symbolise anger, lust, timidity, apathy and stupidity respectively. One can reach the perfect stage of self realisation only when one has full control over all kinds of human vices and demerits. This is the main purpose that the animal sacrifice to the temples is believed to serve.

 The celebration of Dasain is centered around the worship of SHAKTI or Mother Goddess. The tradition of
Shakti Puja seems to have a very ancient origin. When we turn to the Vedas for the proof, we find several interesting hymns dedicated to the glory of AADI SHAKT1, the universal mother. Some of her earlier names mentioned in the Vedas are USHA, PRITHVI, VAC, RATRI, ADIT1 and so forth. The PURANAS are full of praise songs about Her.

Puranic Version
 According to Devi Mahatmya Aadi, Shakti has manifested Herself in three different forms such as Mahakali, Mahalaxmi and Mahasaraswati. These forms are said to symbolise three basic qualities of Shakti, such as TAMAS1C, RAJASIC and SATTWIC respectively, meaning destructive, preservative and creative powers. KALI, LAXMI and SARASWATI are the female consorts of SHIVA, VISHNU and BRAHMA, respectively, who are always inseparable from their respective Lords. As a matter of fact, they are all one, though they are in different forms. It is interesting to note that the Hindu philosophy is always after the diversity in unity. However, diversity is never accepted as an ultimate goal in our religion. It is only a means to reach perfect unity, so to say the ultimate reality. •