Dashain is the 10-day national festival of Nepal. The festival falls around September-October. This festival is known for emphasis on family gatherings, as well as on a renewal of community ties. They worship the Goddess Durga who defeated the demon Mahisasur, which symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. According to the legend, the bloodthirsty Goddess Durga conquered evils on the Dashain day. Huge amount of animal sacrifices take place during the festival in temples and in homes to please the Goddess Durga. The god Vishwa Karma, the God of Creativity, is also worshipped. Each home is cleaned and decorated, while the people buy new clothes for each other. It is a family time and it’s traditional for relatives to reunite during this holiday. All families “Tikha” each other and feast on the meat.
United Mission to Nepal (UMN) conducted learning review meetings for all staff in Katmandu followed by a staff get together. It was a good opportunity to meet staff who shared experiences about their work with partners. During this get together there were cultural activities and awards given to staff who have served for over five years and those who have especially lived out UMN values during the year. It encourages me to see Nepali Christian and non Christian staff attend morning devotions. In your prayers please remember UMN staff and Christians working in remote areas.
Let us also pray for renewal of visas for UMN expatriates working in Nepal and that Nepal will be able to have a new Prime Minister.
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| My family was happy to have met Dr. Murdo MacDonald, Rachel, Esther and James from Church of Scotland during their recent visit to Katmandu |
