It is truly the national festival of
Nepal. Every Nepali is stirred by the prospects of the joy that this festival
is supposed to bring with it. The change of mood is also induced
psychologically by the turn of autumn season after a long spell of monsoon,
introducing clear and brilliant days, an azure blue sky and a green carpet of
fields, the climate is also just ideal at this time, it is neither being too
cold nor too warm. The Nepalese cherish their Dashain as time for eating well
and dressing well. Each house also sets up a shrine to worship the Goddess at
this time. Barley seeds are planted on the first day in every household and
nurtured for nine days. During this period Goddess Durga Bhawani is worshipped
and offered a lot of blood sacrifices. Buffaloes, goats, chickens and ducks are
killed by the thousands at the temples at military posts and in every
household.
One of the main centres that witnesses the
animal sacrifice in a large scale at this time is the Hanuman Dhoka palace on
the night of the eighth day and morning of the ninth. On the concluding day of
the festival called the Tika, the elders of the family give Tika to their
junior members and to other relatives who may also come to seek their
blessings. The fresh shoots of the barley are also given. Family feasting and
feting of guests is a common practice at this time. 
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