KATHMANDU: Dashain, the greatest festival of the Hindus, begins tomorrow with Ghatasthapana. The Dashain is the longest and the most auspicious festival in the Nepalese annual calendar, celebrated across the nation by Nepalese of all castes and creed.

The 15-day-long celebration takes place during the bright lunar fortnight ending on the full moon day. Throughout Nepal, people worship goddess Durga in all her manifestations with elaborate rituals and lavish pujas. They also make abundant offerings, including animal sacrifices. People slaughter animals, usually goats and offer to their deity.

Hindu mythology has it that, Dashain is symbolic of the victory of the gods over the demons. Various Hindu epics explain the triumph of good over evil .The festival is symbolised by goddess Durga slaying the the most-dreaded demon - Mahisasur. The demon is guise as a fearful water buffalo. .

Most often, epics like the Ramayana tells one of the victory stories, where Lord Ram, believed to be an incarnation of Bishnu, after a long-drawn-out battle slaughtered Ravana, the king of demons. It is argued that Lord Ram was successful in the battle as he was blessed by goddess Durga. Thus, the Durga Puja. The first nine days signify the pitch battle fought between goddess Durga and the demon Mahisasur. The tenth day, Dashami, is the day when Mahisasur was slained. The day is marked as Bijaya Dashami, symbolising the triumph of good over evil.

The Dashain is celebrated by people of all hues and colour with great ecstasy, merriment, and lavish food and drinks