From our family to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas! May your holiday season be filled with love, laughter, and precious memories to cherish forever.🎄🎅🎁❤️
The magic of Christmas is in the air, and our neighbourhood is glowing with festive cheer! This year, the streets have come alive with twinkling lights, creative displays, and a heartwarming sense of community.
As we strolled through the neighbourhood, we were amazed by the effort and creativity everyone has put into their decorations. Houses are adorned with shimmering fairy lights, glowing reindeer, and Santa climbing chimneys. Some homes even have entire light shows synchronized to music, creating a magical experience for all who pass by.
One of my favourite displays features a life-sized nativity scene surrounded by sparkling lights, reminding us of the true spirit of Christmas. Another standout is a house with a candy-cane theme, complete with a giant inflatable snowman waving to everyone who stops to admire the view.
It’s heartwarming to see families, kids, and even pets walking around, soaking in the festive atmosphere. The lights not only brighten up the streets but also bring people together, spreading joy and laughter.
Halloween this year was absolutely unforgettable! Our neighborhood came alive with spooky sights, eerie sounds, and a magical energy that only Halloween night can bring. We kicked off the evening getting the into their costumes—each one excited and ready to go on a candy hunt! From superheroes to witches, they picked their favourites, and the joy on their faces was priceless.
Our neighborhood really went all out with decorations this year, transforming it into a Halloween wonderland. Each house had something unique to offer: ghostly figures lurking in the bushes, glowing pumpkins lighting up doorsteps, and even a few fog machines creating a truly spooky atmosphere. Some families had even set up entire haunted yard scenes, complete with life-size skeletons and eerie music that sent a chill down your spine! The kids absolutely loved going from house to house, each new stop more thrilling than the last.
One of the best parts was walking around together as a family. Halloween always feels like a time to come together, and seeing the excitement on the kids’ faces with every piece of candy, every spooky decoration, and every friendly neighbour handing out treats made it all the more special. It was a night filled with laughs, surprises, and so many unforgettable memories.
As we made our way home with overflowing candy buckets and tired but happy little trick-or-treaters, we couldn’t help but feel grateful for these moments. Halloween is more than just costumes and candy—it’s about the thrill, the laughter, and the joy of sharing it all with family and friends.
Hope everyone had a magical Halloween night full of treats and maybe a few tricks!
October 28 marks another year around the sun for me, and I started the day with a little announcement: It’s my birthday! 🎉 After all, I truly believe that you have to celebrate yourself. Life moves fast, and birthdays are the perfect excuse to slow down, appreciate how far we’ve come, and give ourselves a bit of extra love.
Funny enough, as I get older, age doesn’t feel like I imagined it would. It’s as if time has just stopped at certain points. Maybe I’m getting wiser, but I don’t “feel” my age at all—maybe that’s the beauty of growing in ways that can’t be measured by a number.
This year, I feel more grounded, grateful, and excited about all the simple moments that make up each day. Birthdays remind me to take a breath and reflect on all the highs and lows, the memories made, and the growth along the way. To capture it all, I put together a mini-vlog of the day: from a peaceful morning coffee to a birthday meal with all my favorite treats, and of course, laughter and smiles with loved ones who made it extra special.
Thank you all for the warm birthday wishes, messages, and love! You all made this day even brighter, and I’m so lucky to have such a beautiful community around me. Here’s to celebrating ourselves, cherishing the journey, and making memories that’ll make us smile for years to come.
Cheers to another year of growth, adventure, and gratitude!
Dashain is here! The air is filled with excitement, nostalgia, and the promise of family gatherings, food, and festivities. Yesterday marked Ghatasthapana, the first day of Dashain, which sets the tone for the next 15 days of celebration. In households across Nepal—and for Nepali communities around the globe—this day is sacred. It’s the day we plant Jamara, those sprouting yellow-green shoots that symbolize prosperity and blessings.
But what makes Dashain so special?
For starters, it’s not just any festival. Dashain is Nepal’s biggest and longest Hindu festival, celebrated for 15 glorious days of tradition, reunions, and cultural pride. From Ghatasthapana to the grand finale on Vijaya Dashami, it’s a time when families gather, share meals, exchange blessings, and honour the victory of good over evil.
So, if you’re new to Dashain or just looking to rekindle that festive spirit, here’s a peek into why we cherish this time of year!
The Legends Behind Dashain: Why It’s More Than Just a Festival
Dashain is steeped in legends and Hindu mythology. According to one tale, it’s the story of Ram—the hero who defeated the demon king Ravana after nine days of prayer and worshipping Goddess Durga. The tenth day, Dashami, marks Ram’s victory, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.
Another tale revolves around Mahishasura, the fearsome demon who terrorized both Earth and Heaven. The gods created Durga, the powerful goddess who battled Mahishasura for nine long days. On the tenth day, Durga slew the demon, marking the day of victory—Vijaya Dashami.
These stories remind us that no matter how challenging life gets, good will always prevail. And that’s why we place tika (a red vermilion paste mixed with rice and yogurt) on our foreheads during Dashain—it’s a blessing for victory, strength, and resilience in the coming year.
Day 1: Ghatasthapana – Planting Jamara, Growing Prosperity
Ghatasthapana (literally meaning “pot establishment”) marks the official start of Dashain. This is the day we plant Jamara—the sacred barley seeds that we lovingly water and nurture for the next ten days. These delicate sprouts will grow to represent blessings, and we use them on Vijaya Dashami for the tika ceremony.
I planted my Jamara yesterday. It’s always a special moment for me—preparing the soil, sowing the seeds, and knowing that in 10 days, those golden-green shoots will be ready for the most important ritual of Dashain. I can’t wait to see how well they grow this year!
Dashain Activities: Where Tradition Meets Fun
What makes Dashain feel so magical is the blend of deep-rooted traditions with simple pleasures. Here are some of the most exciting things we look forward to every Dashain:
1. Kite Flying
As soon as Dashain kicks off, the skies in Nepal fill with colorful kites—each one carrying the message that the monsoon season is over. I have fond memories of rooftop kite battles with my brothers, shouting “Changa Chet!” (which means “kite cut!”) every time we managed to down someone else’s kite. It’s a playful battle that I miss every year.
2. Family Card Games
I can’t talk about Dashain without mentioning the card games! Even though gambling is technically illegal in Nepal, Dashain is an exception. Families gather around with cards, placing small bets (or just playing for fun!). I used to love sneaking into the grown-ups’ game as a kid, hoping to win a few coins.
3. Shopping for New Clothes
Dashain is the time for new clothes! For many families, this is the only time of the year when they can afford new outfits. Shops across Nepal offer crazy discounts, and it’s a rush of excitement as everyone prepares for the festival. I treated myself to a new dress this weekend—because who doesn’t love a reason to shop, right?
4. Bamboo Swings (Ping)
In the countryside, you’ll find bamboo swings constructed just before Dashain. These aren’t your average playground swings either—they’re towering structures that often go 20 feet high! Swinging on a ping is a thrill, and for many, it’s a must-do every year.
The Sweet Chaos: Fairs, Concerts, and Food!
Dashain isn’t just about rituals; it’s also about fun and celebration! Throughout Nepal, you’ll find fairs, concerts, and dashain melas (markets) popping up in towns and cities. These events bring people together for a bit of light-hearted fun—think Ferris wheels, local snacks, and live performances.
And then there’s the food! The streets fill with the smell of fried treats, freshly made sel roti (a traditional rice doughnut), and crispy chatpate (Nepal’s beloved street food). It’s the time to indulge, because Dashain only comes once a year!
Happy Dashain, everyone!
Here are the posts I have written regarding Dashian over the years .
I can hardly believe it—Nepaliaustralian has officially turned 13! When I first started this blog, social media was just beginning to take off, and I had no idea it would connect me with so many amazing people across the globe.
What began as a simple hobby has grown into an incredible journey. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be writing this 13th-anniversary post! This blog has become my personal way of celebrating Nepali culture, traditions, and the unique experience of being a Nepali living in Australia.
As of today, Nepaliaustralian proudly stands at 1,109 posts, 81 pages, 10,714 comments, 2,506,733 page views, 4,447 followers, and 1,383,135 readers from 230 countries. 🙂
I’m beyond grateful to each and every one of you for your support over these 13 years. Your encouragement, comments, likes, and shares have meant the world to me, and I truly couldn’t have come this far without you. Thank you for listening to my stories, sharing in my journey, and showing so much love to my family.
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