Dasain

Dasain is one of the festivals mainly celebrated by the Hindu population of Sikkim. Dasain of Sikkim is celebrated with a lot of pomp and grandeur. The Dasain is held at the same time as the Durga Puja of the states of Bihar, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh.

The festival begins with the sowing of grains in the fields with a belief that by doing so on this auspicious day, the people can have a good harvest. On the first day of Dasain in Sikkim, grains are sown in the soil which ensures a good harvest. The next prominent event is called the Fulpati Meeting or the flowers' day. The Fulpati meeting is followed by the two important days of the celebration of the power of goddess Durga. These are Kal Navami and Maha Ashthami.

According to the myths associated with the Hindu religion, Goddess Durga stands for the victory of good over evil. With the help of the combined power of the Hindu Gods like Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva, Goddess Durga could finally defeat the Mahisasura, the Hindu personification of evil and won back the throne of another Hindu god Indra.

The most important day of Dasain at Sikkim is the tenth day, which is termed Dussera. On this occasion, all the people of Sikkim apply the mixture of barley and rice on their foreheads. The sprouts of barley used for this purpose are the ones that had been sown on the very first day of Dasain. This day is celebrated to commemorate the defeat of Ravana in the hands of Rama, which is another significant event according to Hindu mythology.