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Until a couple of years ago, Dashain used to provide much-needed relief for students as well as teachers. The festival provided quality time for refreshment for everyone.

But this Dashain, all students and teachers are already on a long break—they have been working from home for more than a year and a half. This break has created a void in interpersonal connections and one-on-one communication. Guardians, teachers, and students have been fed up with the Covid-19 restrictions.

The situation is still not entirely under control, but we have seen a lot of positives ahead of this Dashain. Many schools have reopened and people have returned to their daily lives. Other schools, however, are yet to get the green light from the local governments. Even those that have started physical classes are doing so in shifts.

Also read: No political joy this Dashain

This long break has affected the habits of many students. They need some time to get back to the habit of going to school. So, reopening schools, even for a couple of days before the holiday, could help students. Moreover, we have to think of teachers too who have been working hard without enough pay. 

Despite many hurdles, all of us in this sector are optimistic about the reopening of physical classes. The grand festival has brought the market back on track. We can see movement all around.

But at the back of our mind there is always that fear: could we face another Covid-19 wave? Are we ready to fight the virus again? I don’t think we can take that chance. 

The Newa community celebrates Mohani, which coincides with Dashain, as one of their most important festivals. The festival marked for 15 days by worshiping the Astamatrika goddesses has many parallels with Dashain.

Dashain, as it falls after the end of Indra Jatra, also marks the end of the plantation season and the start of autumn. It is free time for the Newa community and they take this time to worship.

According to cultural expert Om Prasad Dhaubhadel, the name ‘Mohani’ refers to a black tika made by the Newa people that is believed to have the power of putting others under one’s control.

The celebration of Mohani dates back to the Licchhavi period (400-750 CE) when the Valley was still divided into many kingdoms. Statues and sculptures of the nine deities of goddess Durga and Astamatrika were put up around the kingdoms to protect people from enemies and intruders. They worshiped the goddesses to get the power to fight and take control during an enemy attack.

Mohani begins with the planting of barley seeds in the Agam Chhen, the room where the deities are worshipped, in every household. The barley grows into jamara in the next nine days. “We dedicate a day each to worship an Astramatrika goddess throughout Mohini,” says Dhaubadel.

On the first day, devotees visit the Bramhayeni temple to worship the goddess. On the second day, the goddess Maheshwari is worshipped. Goddess Kumari and Bhadrakali are worshipped on the third and fourth days respectively. On the fifth and sixth days of Mohani, Barahi and Indrayani are worshipped. On the seventh day, Mahakali is the one worshipped.

On the eighth day, goddess Mahalaxmi is worshiped and the entire family comes together to celebrate and observe a grand feast. This day is called ‘Kuchhi Bhwey’ in Newari where ‘Kuchhi’ refers to mana, a traditional Newari measuring instrument and ‘Bhwey’ refers to a feast. In the old days, it used to be a challenge for a normal family to afford beaten rice. So this day ensures that everyone has at least one or two mana of beaten rice once a year.

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“In the earlier times, there was a practice of eating the feast on turmeric leaves and we used to hear stories of how turmeric leaves would turn into plates of gold the next day,” says 49-year-old Bhubaneshwori Dangol, a resident of Sanepa, Lalitpur. “But now we only add a piece of turmeric leaf on the plate to honor our ancestors.

On the ninth day, the Tripura Sundari goddess is worshiped. This day is called ‘Syakwa Tyakwa’ and the Newa people perform Tampujaya (worship of their possessions and vehicles).

On the tenth day, also called Chala, the elders of the family put Mohani, the black tika, over red tika on the forehead and jamara on the ears of the younger members of the family to give blessings.

“During Mohani, we prepare all kinds of dishes for the feasts from different kinds of meat, beaten rice, a large variety of vegetables, achaar, choila, dhyakla, wa, and many more,” says Dangol.

Until the 15th day, people go for Nakhatya (feast) at their familys’ and friends’ homes to put on Mohini and tika, and to feast together.

“I think what makes Dashain special and stand out is how people of different communities have found a way to celebrate and present their art, culture, and traditions in their own unique way,” says 26-year-old Shreyashka Maharjan, student of Sociology and Cultural Photographer. “It's the same with Mohani, but what is different is that different Newa communities have their own way of celebrating,” he adds.

In Patan, the centuries-old Astamarika dance called Ga Pyakkan, one of the most artistic dances of the Valley, is performed during Mohini.

In Kathmandu, Pachali Bhairabh Jatra is organized on the sixth day of Mohani by the Jyapu community. In Bhaktapur, the Khadga Jatra begins on Biyaja Dashami whereby every family uses a khagda (scimitar with a thick long blade) to slice vegetables as sacrifice.

“For Newars, Mohani is a huge affair for showcasing their culture, and various aspects of their histo

Dashain this year comes with a spark of hope for all hospitals, health workers, and the people at large, especially with the availability of vaccines against Covid-19. We are going through a major health crisis, but more and more people are getting vaccinated as well. People finally feel like celebrating and meeting their friends and family this Dashain.

However, the pandemic is still active, and although the number of cases is decreasing, we still need to take precautions and try not to spread the virus. Until now, nearly 70-75 percent of people living in city areas have been vaccinated. But most of them in rural and remote areas are still unvaccinated.

We need to be mindful that no vaccine is cent-percent effective and there are still breakthrough cases where fully vaccinated people get infected. It prevents them from getting a severe disease in most cases, but they can still spread the virus. During Dashain, with people returning to their hometowns and villages, there is a chance that they might take along the virus and the number of infections will pick up again among the unvaccinated.

As we step into the new normal, we can work together to take control of the situation while also celebrating festivals. We still have to take precautions to keep ourselves and those around us safe.

Also read: Music and Dashain are synonymous

More institutions, from schools and colleges to cinema halls, are reopening, and the scenario now will be different to the past couple of months. This Dashain is not just about celebration, it’s about transitioning to a new normal and adapting to the virus, and finding more ways to remain safe while going about our daily lives.

The pandemic has changed our lives in the past one and a half years, and I have faith that the festivals shall make us realize how important it is to control the virus from spreading by acting responsibly. We still have much left to do, and I am hopeful that in the next couple of months we will make rapid progress in corona-control, one step at a time.

The government is discussing vaccinating children above the age of 12, and if things go as planned, those school-going children would be at less risk. The schools as well need to make sure that all the teachers and staff are vaccinated.

I believe even if a new variant starts spreading, we can respond better to control its spread. It will be less life-threatening compared to the one that started the second wave, as more and more people get vaccinated.

Yet, again, the pandemic is not over and safety measures should still be in place and every individual should be conscious about protecting themselves and the people around them while celebrating the festivals.

Right now I am collaborating with an Indian rapper, and our music video is releasing close to Dashain.

Many artists wait for Dashain for the release of their project. It could be a trend, superstition, or a business decision, but my decision to release the new video now is just a coincidence.

I never have plans for any Dashain, but the music industry owes a lot to this grand festival and vice-versa.

After Dashain, Nepali hip-hop will have three reality shows. Aspiring rappers can relax and prepare in this period. This festival always gives us positive vibes, which is a must for any artist. Good vibes in turn help us prepare beautiful lyrics. 

Dashain has given us a handful of iconic and evergreen songs. This time too, hopefully, we will see something similar.

Covid-19 has affected all sectors, and the music industry is no exception. Yet we have seen plenty of songs and music videos released during the pandemic. Even during the lockdown, our industry was progressing. Dashain will of course give birth to several great works of music.

Technically, the Nepali music industry has grown a lot in the past few years. Many solo artists have their personal recording studios, which helps them create music on their own. Because of this, we have seen a handful of songs released during the pandemic too. Yet it was difficult to record music videos as shooting had to a virtual standstill. Now, with the Dashain’s arrival, I expect a boom in music videos, which will be good news for everyone.  

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People need to relax and there is no quicker way to do so than through music. For every situation we find ourselves in, we can find a related song and it helps us cope a lot. The main vibe of Dashain comes from the festive songs. Rap music also has plenty of Dashain-Tihar songs with a decent fan base. Moreover, rap is regarded as a genre that encompasses contemporary stuff, so in this Dashain also, we will get the music in keeping with our new reality.

The society has all kinds of people, including those who try to spread misinformation during these festive times. Music has also been used for those purposes: to create mistrust and disturb social harmony. As most artists like to spend time with their family during Dashain, we hope they will all come up with inspiring and socially acceptable songs.

Lastly, I wish kids and teenagers get to perform more music during Deusi and Bhailo. I will be happier if they rap, for these initiatives will greatly help with the development of our future stars. They can take Dashain and Tihar as an opportunity to learn and shine.