Antiquity of Shaktism with reference to Dashain. || Myth Avatar ||
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| Maishashur mardini |
Dashain is considered as the major festival of Nepal. Various deities are worshiped in the Shakta sect. This festival is celebrated by worshiping various goddesses for nine consecutive days from the day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Ashwin to the tenth day. Dashain is celebrated by worshiping Shaili Putri, Bramhacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalratri, Mahagauri, Siddhidatri and Navdurga. Chandi text is worshiped while worshiping in this festival. In particular, this festival is considered to be the victory of truth over untruth. In Nepal, it is especially believed that Goddess Durga killed Mahishasura and in India, it is said that Rama killed ravan.
On the first day, the jamara is kept in a secret place of his house. It is worshiped on a daily basis and animals are sacrificed. some offer animal sacrifices or coconuts. However this ritual can be different from others. The seventh day of Jamara is called Phoolpati, the eighth day is called Mahaashtami, the ninth day is called Mahanavami and the tenth day is called Vijaya Dashami. This festival is also called 'Vijayadashami' after victory name 'Vijaya'. On this day, Lord Ramachandra reached Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile and killing of Ravana. This is also the reason why this festival is called 'Vijayadashami'.
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| Goddess Durga from Nepal |
In the Newar community, Dashain is celebrated as Mohni Nakhtya / Mohni. In this festival, the Newar community goes for special prayers for three days after the tenth day of Dashain and takes prasad. They call it "Mohani Tika"
As far as the Shakta sect is concerned, the Shakta sect has been worshiped in the world for a long time. These goddesses also mentioned in the Vedas are also associated with Nepal in mythology. In which Mahadev and Parvati are found as the tapobhumi of Nepal and in ancient times, the princess Sita of the departed country is also considered as the goddess of Nepal. Similarly, in terms of Shakta, there are various ways and mentions of many deities in the Puranas who are associated with Nepal. Similarly, the words of Sati Devi, the daughter of Daksha Prajapati, also make us realize the antiquity of the Shakta sect in Nepal. Even in the Kirat period, many historians belive that women were given priority and women were more respected. The Kirats used to worship Parvati as Sumnima.
In the same way, when it comes to archaeological evidence, the statues of Bhudevi found in Banjahariya of Nepal show antiquity. Also found are Gajalaxmi of Chasal Hiti in Patan and Pre lichchhvi idols of various Matrikas of Kathmandu. Archaeologically, the Bijayashwari inscription contains some excerpts from the Shakta sect, and the Anshuvarma archives also mention the Vankali and Naxalite Bhagwati Purnadevi and Chhinnamasta. Similarly, statues of Uma Maheshwar of the pre-Lichhavi period have also been found in different parts of Kathmandu in which Uma can be seen. Similarly, first coin of nepal which was of Lichhavi period. Mananka also has a tendency towards Shaktism; Lakxmi. The Shakta sect was found to be popular in the Lichhavi period as many idols including goddesses were found with similar coefficients and various other coins. The Shakta sect has been given high priority not only by Hindus but also by Bajrayana Buddhists in Nepal. Even if Shiva or Vishnu appeared independently or Buddhas and Bodhisattvas were considered to have no recognition without their consorts. So, we can most of male dominated temples in Nepal have small or big female dignity.
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| Headless maishashur mardini from Nepal |
Speaking of Medival peroid, this sect seems to have been more famous in the than in the Lichhavi period with Tantric influnce. In this time goddess with multiple heads and hands were formed. Taleju and Dumaju were Malla king's idts devsts or national deities and this order seems to have continued till modern times. What we can find out from this is that goddesses were worshiped in Nepal long ago and various processions like Navdurga dance, Mahakali dance, Gam Pyakhan, Ashtamatrika dance, Naradevi dance etc.were and are pratice in Nepal. Also, the Malashri tune played in Dashain is very ancient, which is said by musicologists to be similar to the ragas of 2000 years ago. In the Shakta sect, worship of Panchakanya, Saptamatrika, Ashtamatrika, Nava Durga, Dashamahavidya, Siddhi Dev etc. is done in Nepal. According to this, the system is considered to have started long ago. And citys are also design accourding to devi's yantras.Eg: Bhaktapur.
From this explanation, what can we conclude that Dashain is a festival related to Goddess which is a festival that has been going on in Nepal since time immemorial. It also shows the victory of truth over untruth and the importance and power of women. Dashain Tihar has been celebrated for centuries before Prithvinaran Shah.
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