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Karveer Budha, a resident of Rajutara in Junichande-7, Jajarkot, was hopeful of receiving rice from the government's depot for Dashain celebrations. But his hopes were dashed as officials informed the locals that the depot would not be able to distribute rice before the Dashain festival.

The disappointment is palpable among the locals who are now uncertain about how to secure rice for the Dashain festivities. Rice is already scarce in the local market, and if available, it comes at a high price compared to the subsidized rice distributed by government depots.

The Food Management and Trading Company (FMTC) has been distributing subsidized rice in various remote areas of the country. However, residents like Karveer are dismayed as the state-owned food company has failed to supply rice to depots in different remote villages. “The Dashain festival is upon us, but we don’t have a grain of rice at home. The government’s depot has remained closed for three months. How can we celebrate in this situation?” lamented Ramkali Gharti of Rajutara.

 The shortage is not limited to the depot in Rajutara. Government depots in Tangachaur, Kauli, and Nayakbada of Barekot, Chaukha of Nalgad, Tapuchaur of Kushe, and Dashera and Pajaru of Chhedagad have all run out of stock. Locals who depend on these depots now face uncertainty about celebrating Dashain, all due to the FMTC’s failure to initiate the tendering process for rice supply on time.

The remote municipalities of Nalgad and Chhedegad, as well as Kushe and Junichande rural municipalities, are grappling with severe food grain shortages. With their summer crops not yet ready for harvest and the FMTC failing to supply food to its depots, residents are facing a challenging situation.

The FMTC has recently chosen bidders to supply food grains to its remote depots. “We selected the successful bidder 10 days ago, and our head office has given us 15 days to sign an agreement with them,” said Ram Prasad Poudel, the chief of FMTC Jajarkot Office. “We urged the company to commence rice transportation immediately, but they are refusing citing bad road conditions due to the monsoon.”

A recent meeting of the District Food Management Committee had requested the relevant authorities to ensure rice supply to government depots before the Dashain festival.

FMTC Jajarkot Office has appointed MB Builders of Jajarkot to transport rice to government depots in Chaukha, Tapuchaur, and Tangachaur. Similarly, Anjila Traders from Nepalgunj have been roped in to transport rice to depots in Pajaru, Dashera, Nayakbada, and Rajutara. According to Poudel of FMTC Jajarkot Office, they will supply 750 quintals to Chaukha, 1,000 quintals to Nayakbada, 500 quintals to Tapuchaur, 750 quintals to Tangachaur, 700 quintals to Rajutara, and 500 quintals each to Dashera and Pajaru.

While Pajaru and Dashera will receive their rice supply from Nepalganj, other depots will receive their supply from the district headquarters Khalanga. Locals prefer thick rice due to its affordability. However, the FMTC Jajarkot Office has only fine rice in stock which is being distributed in the district headquarters, Khalanga. The situation has left locals in a difficult position. As paddy is not cultivated in most remote areas of Jajarkot, locals rely on government depots for their rice supply. However, the FMTC consistently fails to transport rice to these depots on time due to inadequate preparation and an apparent lack of concern for the plight of people in remote areas.

The sixth day of Bada Dashain is being celebrated by Hindus across the country today by worshiping Goddess Katyayani Devi.

Goddess Katyayani is described in Hindu scriptures as a symbol of beauty. It is mentioned in the scriptures that Goddess Katyayani came to this world to prevent obstacles from demonic demons while doing good deeds including charity.

There is a religious belief that worshiping Goddess Katyayani on the occasion of Navratri brings strength, prosperity and knowledge.

The devotees have thronged the Hindu shrines across the country.

In Kathmandu Valley, devotees throng Guheshwori, Jaya Bageshwori, Maitidevi, Kalikasthan, Naxal Bhagawati, Bhadrakali, Kalankimai and several other temples from early morning.

Likewise, Palanchwok Bhagawati, Nala Bhagawati, Kamalamai, Ichchhakamana, Manakamana, Gadhimai, Pathibhara, Dantakali, Baglung Kalika, Bindhabasini, Tal Barahi and other shrines have also received a large number of devotees on the sixth day of the Bada Dashain today.

President Ram Chandra Paudel is to offer tika to VIPs and members of the general public on Bijaya Dashami, the main day of Dashain festival.

According to a press release issued by the President’s Office, President Paudel will offer Dashain tika from 2 pm to 5 pm at Sheetal Niwas.

The President’s Office said that President Paudel is scheduled to offer Dashain tika to VIPs from 2 pm to 3 pm and the general public from 3 pm to 5 pm.

The VIPs include deputy prime ministers and ministers, heads of states, judges, members of the federal parliament, officials of constitutional bodies.

Civil servants, Nepal Army and Nepal Police personnel among others can also receive tika from the President.

The President’s Office has urged one and all to put on decent clothes while coming to receive Dashain tika.

Albeit, age has caught up with me—past my mid-sixties today—every Dashain, when kites dot the sky in a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors–red, blue, yellow, green, you name it, the sight mesmerizes me to take a flight down memory lane to my childhood fantasy—flying and fighting kites.  

Bygone memories surge back, and the image of a skinny little boy swims before my eyes. Oblivious to the rest of the world, he totes a lattai (wooden reel), his eyes glued on his red kite pivoting, spinning, and diving in the sky in the sweltering midday sun, his face turned ruddy swathed in sweat and grime—for all he cares. 

Just then, out of the blue, a yellow-n-black bi-colored kite looms, spoiling for a fight. The boy watches the adversary and, with bated breath, braces himself. The challenger soars up, whirls, and tears down upon his kite. 

Attaboy! The boy smartly outwits the blitzing onrush, propels his kite above the opponent’s, and, gaining the upper hand, zeroes in on it before it can get its bearings. The duel kicks off, both fixated on a kill as lines get fed, and the warring kites spin away. 

Hardly past a few moments, the bi-colored contender, unawares, totters and plunges earthward in a pathetic glide. ‘Chait’, bursts out the boy, bellowing at the top of his voice—his cheeks flushed florid.  

How can I forget those stirring moments drenched in excitement and drama, let alone the wide-eyed, heady little lad flying his kite? Because, dear readers, I was ‘he’.

In the 1960s, in Kathmandu, with no telly and dreary delays (some for months) for movies to switch at the handful of theaters, for the youngsters, the only way out to unwind during the Dashain holidays was to fly kites, run kites and fight kites.

I was 10/12 years old, and my passion and obsession was flying kites. And to satisfy my craze, I would go to any lengths head over heels. I whined, scrounged, stole, threw one too many tantrums at home, and did not mind trading mom’s thrashing for a day’s kiting. 

Following the Dashain escapades, what stood out as endearing reminders were the tell-tale cuts, gashes, and rashes, all so gallantly endured during the time, and the sudden nostalgic feeling a cherished season had again gone by a little too early.

The historical Asan Tole, in those days, with a sprinkling of kite shops, was the hub for all the kiting paraphernalia. Unlike the ready-to-use glass-coated strings (available in later years), we had to do with plain strings. The kites came from Kolkata and Patna (India), the strings from Bareilly (India), while the local carpenters made the wooden reels.

There was more; we could not just yet have a go at flying, as we stood no chance of sparring it out with other flyers without applying the maza on the string—a concoction of alas (flax seed), arrowroot powder, sago grains, a slippery extract squeezed out of a cactus plant called ghyukumari (aloe vera), and powdered glass (pounded electric bulbs). 

We brewed the whole gamut of ingredients into a thick consistency and then applied it to the string and let it dry in the sun; every kiter prided himself in his maza recipe, which he kept hush-hush for success at kite fighting, rested upon it.

I was not an ace fighter, but I held some clout over my neighborhood peers. In my elements, I downed seven or eight kites in a day against a loss of two or three, a feat my local pals admired. But there were days when only frustrating defeats stared me in the face. 

I had friends who were great at kite running, but I needed a stomach for it as it called for speed and brawn that I lacked, and as often as not, such runs ended up in brawls.

One Dashain, our neighborhood was in for a big jolt—an intruder had trespassed our territory, blazing a cutting spree across our sky, spelling doom for every single kite that dared cross its path. None stood a chance, and none—spared. A confrontation for me was inevitable, but I was not the kind to be intimidated that easily. But, it looked like I was fated, too, like the other kiters. It hurt bad when I lost kite after kite to this formidable adversary.

What confounded us most was his style of launching an attack, which was weird to all flyers of our genre. The rule of thumb for us was to secure an upper hold over the opponent’s line and feed the line in a steady, unhurried motion after complete contact. To our disbelief, this fellow did the contrary by engaging his line from below. Incredible!

The kite approached from below, lifted straight up in an unexpected rush, and before we could grasp what was happening, our lines snapped as if a razor had touched them off. Just like that, no kidding! The cutting binge continued for days; all we could do was gawk at our hapless kites. None of our ruses worked against this seemingly invincible invader.

Overnight, this stranger had turned into a superstar, talked about in hushed tones whenever the boys met in the alleys of our neighborhood. Words flew around that this fellow was from India visiting an uncle in our neighborhood.

Near desperation, I decided to visit this mystery fellow, a dark horse—just a spitting distance away from my house. When I dropped by the house, to my great surprise, I found him flying his kite with his bare hands, the reel held by another chap. 

Whoa! No boy in Kathmandu then flew with bare hands! Even as I watched, dumbfounded at the ease, the flourish, and the control he displayed at tugging and jerking on his line, he downed two kites to their doom.

I cautiously approached him, anxious to get to the bottom of this mystery, “Wow! That was superb—two kites downed in less than ten minutes. You know this is the first time anyone has struck off kites in this style in our neighborhood.”

“Well, there is nothing special to it. In India, we fight kites this way,” he smiled. Fascinated, I decided to pry into the matter, pushing on, “It beats me how you do it ‘cause we only spar by paying off our line.”

“Simple,” he volunteered. “If you are mounting your attack by hauling your line, you have to pilot from below when you go for the coup de grace. You need to maintain the upward surge at a very fast and unbroken pace. If you stick to a rapid drag, keeping your line taut, it devastates your opponent.”

“So what’s the other guy supposed to do to foil this attack?” I egged him impatiently. “No sweat! All he has to do is make a dive for it to meet the surge as fast as he can until his line gets into full contact and let go of his line. This way, the other guy won't stand a ghost of a chance.” For me, it was a sensational revelation.

As expected, I had a showdown with him the next day; I launched an attack following the newcomer’s instruction to the letter. I could not believe my eyes when down went his kite; the day followed with three more victories for me against him with just one loss. 

So, after all, this guy was not as invincible as all the local boys and I had come to believe. One should have watched me then, swaggering down the street, my chin held high, my neighborhood boys eyeing me green with envy!

 Most admittedly, the chap from India had caused quite a stir in our neighborhood like never before. The dog-fights between us continued for two more days, each vying to outwit the other, scores almost nip and tuck. Our kites dominated the sky as if the rest did not exist. However, we all this time shared a strange camaraderie despite our kites being in perpetual warfare.

Following a week of our tug of war, I was all set as usual, with a renewed enthusiasm for a face-off. But the sky was conspicuous by the stranger’s kite’s absence. I frantically scoured the sky for his kite to appear almost the entire day, followed by a disappointing two more days–to little avail.

I learned he had left for India. For many Dashains that followed, as the pirouetting kites flashed in vibrant hues and shades against the indigo sky, I really and truly missed the invader from the blue.

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Nepal Rastra Bank has started distributing new banknotes to the general public for Dashain festival from Monday.

Each person will be allowed to exchange up to Rs 18, 500 in denominations of Rs 5, Rs 10, Rs 20, Rs 50 and Rs 100 and 1000, the bank said.

Naresh Shakya, Executive Director of Currency Management Department, said that the bank is planning to issue new banknotes worth around Rs 10 billion.

Meanwhile, people have started queuing up at Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) office in Baluwatar to collect new banknotes for Dashain since early morning.

The biggest festival Dashain began with Ghatasthapana today by worshiping the deity Shailaputri in accordance with Vedic rituals and sowing barley seeds for jamara in a jar filled with soil and cow dung for germination.

The auspicious hour for observing Ghatasthapana is 11:29 am today, according to the Nepal Calendar Determination Committee. Deity Shailaputri is one of the nine deities worshiped in Navaratri.

Prayers are also offered to Durga Bhavani, the goddess of power today. Germination of the auspicious "Jamara" is also initiated at Hanumandhoka Dashain Ghar in accordance with Vedic rituals.

With the marking of Ghatasthapana, celebrations and worship take place in the Shaktipeeth across the country including in the Kathmandu Valley.

Likewise, there is also a tradition of sacrificing animals while initiating the germination of the "jamara".

Nepal’s vibrant Dashain market, once characterized by bustling streets full of shoppers and a palpable sense of excitement in the air, is largely subdued as a result of ongoing economic crisis. 

Nepal’s economic downturn has cast a shadow over the traditional fervor, leaving many to ponder on the impacts on sales, transactions, and the overall excitement of the festival season. Recession has brought us to a point where we need to reconsider and reevaluate the dynamics of the Dashain market. It is imperative to delve deeper into the nuanced effects of recession on the Dashain market, assessing whether the economic constraints have dampened the customary zeal and prompted a more restrained approach to spending.

In recent years, the Dashain market has experienced a visible shift in sales and transactions that serve as a barometer of economic health. While the demand for essentials and customary festive items remains steady, the extravagant purchases and splurges seem to have taken a back seat. Consumers are exhibiting a heightened sensitivity towards their financial resources. 

The Fashion Hub, nestled in the heart of New Baneshwor, is the brainchild of Juna Giri. In previous years, the lively echoes of footsteps in her store bore witness to the exuberant spirit of the season, with sales soaring from the auspicious day of Ghatasthapana. However, in the wake of the global pandemic, a subtle transformation has taken place. It’s like a big shift in how people do their Dashain shopping, and Juna’s shop is feeling it too. 

“Before Covid-19 struck, our sales were flourishing. We had about 15 daily visitors, and during Dashain, that number would swell to around 50, starting from Ghatasthapana. However, in the aftermath of the pandemic, customers have shifted to online shopping. But there aren’t as many sales as before,” says Giri. “After Covid-19, walk-in customers have slashed. The same familiar clothes hang on our racks, with few to no new arrivals.”

The hallmark of Dashain market, the hustle and bustle, has been somewhat tempered. The once hectic shoppers, darting from stall to stall, now move with a measured determination. The cacophony of haggling and bargaining, while still present, has taken on a more subdued tone. This recalibration of the shopping experience mirrors a broader societal shift towards a more mindful consumption pattern, in regards to recession. 

There has also been a noticeable surge in online shopping preferences among Dashain celebrants. Instead of rushing from stall to stall, more and more people are choosing to scroll through virtual storefronts from the comfort of their homes. This shift towards e-commerce reflects a broader societal transition towards convenience and accessibility in the shopping experience.

“We opened a TikTok account for our store, and in just a year, we’ve surpassed 38,000 followers. Many of the customers who visit us now say they discovered our store through TikTok,” says Giri.

Much like The Fashion Hub, numerous clothing stores have undergone this transformation. The tradition of haggling and bargaining, while still prevalent in the traditional market, has also been influenced by this digital evolution. Online platforms introduce a different method of negotiation, often involving the use of digital coupons, promotional codes, and comparative shopping, ultimately reshaping how consumers interact with sellers.

Market saturation has intensified the impact of the recession. Consumers now prefer unique, trendy clothing over mass-produced options found in every other store. Rose Pahari, owner of Bellevogue_np, a platform enabling customers to pre-order desired items from the USA, reflects on this shift in consumption patterns. 

“We receive substantial pre-orders for ethnic wear because individuals are inclined towards exclusivity. However, this year has witnessed a decline in consumption. We observe a surge in online bargaining as people become more discerning and prudent with their spending,” says Pahari.

Limiting the uncontrollable spending

Recession has acted as a reality check, prompting consumers to reevaluate their spending habits. While the allure of extravagant purchases remains, a newfound restraint prevails. The Dashain market, once a playground for unrestrained spending, is now a space where thoughtful choices are celebrated.

In a recent report from the Ministry of Finance, concerns arise as government expenditures, including salaries and Dashain allowances, have surpassed income, leading to a negative account balance.

Dhaniram Sharma, joint secretary of the ministry, urges against misconstruing this situation as a sign of distress, explaining that while first-quarter revenue collection fell short of targets, overall revenue is on par with last year’s. This fiscal situation prompts reflection on the age-old tradition of celebrating Dashain with lavishness, sometimes surpassing one’s financial capacity. The government’s provision of Dashain allowances, while well-intentioned, can inadvertently encourage this trend. It’s important to recognize that an extravagant Dashain celebration should not be equated with genuine tradition, but may, at times, stem from a desire to imitate unsustainable practices.

The Dashain market in Nepal stands as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of Nepali culture in the face of economic challenges. While the recession has ushered in a more measured approach to spending, it has not extinguished the fervor of the festival. Instead, it has prompted a reevaluation of priorities, emphasizing the true essence of Dashain—family, togetherness, and the celebration of traditions. As the market evolves, it continues to serve as a reflection of the ever-evolving economic landscape of Nepal.