Dashain 2025: Dates, Rituals, and Significance
Dashain is Nepal’s biggest and longest Hindu festival, celebrated with great devotion, joy, and family reunions. Known as Bijaya Dashami, it symbolizes the victory of good over evil—Goddess Durga’s triumph over Mahishasura.
In 2025, Dashain begins on Monday, 22 September 2025 (Ghatasthapana) and concludes on Monday, 6 October 2025 (Kojagrat Purnima). In the Nepali Bikram Sambat calendar, this corresponds to Ashwin / Ashoj 2082 BS.
The festival stretches over 15 days, but the main highlights fall between Ghatasthapana and Vijaya Dashami.
Learn more about the meaning of Dashain Blessings Mantra for Male and Female.
Major Dates of Dashain 2025 (English & Nepali Calendar)
| Day | Ritual / Festival Name | Date (English Calendar 2025) | Date (Nepali Calendar 2082 BS) | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Ghatasthapana | Monday, 22 September 2025 | 6 Ashoj 2082 | The festival begins. A kalash (sacred vessel) is installed, and “Jamara” (barley, maize, wheat) seeds are sown in sand, symbolizing prosperity. |
| Day 7 | Phulpati | Monday, 29 September 2025 | 13 Ashoj 2082 | Sacred flowers, leaves, and banana stalks are brought to households. In Kathmandu, a special procession reaches Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square. |
| Day 8 | Maha Ashtami | Tuesday, 30 September 2025 | 14 Ashoj 2082 | The day of worshipping Goddess Durga in her fiercest form. In many places, animal sacrifices are performed to honor the goddess. |
| Day 9 | Maha Navami | Wednesday, 1 October 2025 | 15 Ashoj 2082 | Dedicated to Goddess Siddhidatri. Factories, tools, and vehicles are worshipped for safety and success. |
| Day 10 | Vijaya Dashami (Tika Day) | Thursday, 2 October 2025 | 16 Ashoj 2082 | The most important day of Dashain. Elders put Tika (red vermilion, yogurt, rice) and Jamara on younger family members’ foreheads, blessing them for prosperity and long life. |
| Day 11 | Ekadashi | Friday, 3 October 2025 | 17 Ashoj 2082 | Families continue visiting relatives to receive tika and blessings. |
| Day 12 | Dwadashi | Saturday, 4 October 2025 | 18 Ashoj 2082 | Extended tika and jamara distribution continues. |
| Day 15 | Kojagrat Purnima | Monday, 6 October 2025 | 21 Ashoj 2082 | Marks the conclusion of Dashain. Goddess Laxmi, the goddess of wealth, is worshipped on the night of Kojagrat, staying awake in devotion. |
Auspicious Timing for Tika (Tika Lagaune Sait)
In 2025, the most auspicious time for receiving tika on Vijaya Dashami (Thursday, 2 October 2025) falls around:
- Morning Muhurat: 11:30 AM onwards
- Best Sait: 11:53 AM (Nepali Panchang reference)
Though this is the most auspicious time, families can and do continue tika throughout the day and the following days (Ekadashi, Dwadashi, up to Kojagrat Purnima), as Dashain is equally about family reunions and blessings.
In 2025, Dashain offers not only an auspicious religious celebration but also a chance for families to reunite after months apart. With tika beginning on 2 October 2025 (16 Ashoj 2082) and blessings continuing till 6 October 2025 (21 Ashoj 2082), this Dashain will once again weave together Nepalese traditions, faith, and joy.
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