Major Ranjankumar Badgami, Gurkha Major British Gurkhas Nepal (BGN) and Pandit Baje led the BGN Dashain puja from the festival onset of Ghatasthapana in Kathmandu.
On the primary day of ‘Tika’, Major Ranjan and Pandit Baje offered ‘tika’ (wet vermilion powder mixed with rice put on the forehead as symbol of blessings) to BGN’s staff and family members who took part in the ritual. On the other important days of Kalratri and Fulpati, special pujas were conducted amid customary celebrations. The cultural programme was held on the 3rd of October in Kathmandu.
Dashain, the biggest festival of Nepali Hindus, in essence, honours the triumph of good over evil. Families and individuals gather to celebrate momentous occasions together, and the BGN family is no exception. At BGN, the festive mood is never far away during the Dashain and Tihar holidays, but this year’s attendees seemed even more joyful. This was because they were reuniting after a significant gap of time without any imposed social constraints.
While the 15-day festival’s significance was carried by the traditional activities, the cultural programme was altogether unique moments for all to enjoy and cherish. It was more than a gathering of just the BGN community as BGN was happy to host the representatives of the Gurkha veteran community and well-wishers among others as guests. At the same time, it was quite uplifting to witness outstanding artists from within the BGN community take the stage.
The Dashain rituals and programme were successfully held at British Gurkhas Pokhara. The camp’s serving staff, their families and the civilian staff were involved in organising the events while others took part in the celebrations.
By Gaurav Chandra Gurung, Communications Officer, Headquarters British Gurkhas Nepal
