Feelings on Festivals

It probably would be inappropriate not to have an article related to Dashain and Tihar, not only because these are two greatest festivals that I celebrate each year but also because there are many memories that are related with these festivals. I am not going in detail about what the festivals are about because those information can easily be accessed.
Dashain and Tihar are the greatest festivals of Hindu and since there are majority of Nepalese are Hindus, it is of great importance here. It is interesting to know that there are minor variations in methods of celebrating these festivals according to place to place, society to society; but the theme remains the same. I do not have much information on how these festivals are celebrated on other regions but despite the differences everyone celebrate with great joy and fun, with sense of togetherness and love. These festivals provide a platform for all the members of family to come together despite where they currently reside, what job they currently are on. They all find time for family on these festivals; if not the whole month, at least for few the important days which are MahaAstami, Vijaya Dashami, Laxmi Puja, Gobardhan Puja, and BhaiTika.
Personally, these festivals have always been time for break from studies since we have vacation on these festivals and I think this one aspect will never change! It has been the time to gather around and work together at home, finding time for jokes and pranks and practically unnecessary chit-chats. Each year passes, Dash

ain and Tihar comes and goes and I have realized that there is always different each year. Besides from break from studies, Dashain and Tihar gives something new each year all because I am changing every year. Let’s leave talk of me changing aside and focus on festivals. For past years, these festivals have given opportunity to have good quality time with school friends because during regular time we are all involved in our own tasks and talking of school life always gives joy. The Deusi & Bhailo that we used to play while we were kids seen just memory now, as we have not played for quite few years now. Nowadays, I take pleasure by watching other kids play Deusi & Bhailo, by watching the lights and decorations.
For most Dashain and Tihar is the time to go out of the box and try things like drinking and playing cards among friends. Not that these are bad if limited to friends circle, but the rise of ill activities related to these fun activities; like turning of playing cards into gambling where lakhs are lost. Drinking and doing socially restricted activities, etc. is not that good. In recent years, Dashain and Tihar are turning into festivals where people show-off with excessive expenditure. Celebrating Dashain and Tihar in great pump and show is being rooted in people as tradition, and take heavy loans just to celebrate these festivals. The traditional playing of Deusi & Bhailo is changing into song and dance competitions, which is fun but not quite depicts what Deusi & Bhailo is all about! These kind of activities are not quite good for society and the overall objectives of these festivals. Ill practices must be controlled during festivals, and especially during those that are considered to be great. Let’s promote togetherness and love during festivals not show-off.

KamalPokhari at night during Tihar days