Key points
- The month-long Hindu religious festivities continue until November.
- Coronavirus has changed the way people are celebrating with their loved ones
- International students in Melbourne provided with food support
One of the most important religious festivals for Hindus has kicked off, and with more than 400,000 people in Australia identifying with the Hindu religion, this year’s celebration of good over evil will be different to previous years.
The festivities, which also includes Tihar or Diwali, begins in October and ends in November.
During the Dashain festival, also known as Vijayadashami, Nepali Hindus put “Tika”, on the foreheads of their family and friends and receive blessings for health and happiness from elders and exchange gifts.
Tika is made with rice grains, yoghurt and colouring powder.
For Sonia Rai, this year’s festive season was going to be different, but in a good way, with the international student planning to celebrate this year’s Dashain festival with her family in Nepal.
The Sydney resident wasn’t expecting COVID-19 to derail her plans.
“I was unable to go to visit my family for the past three years, so I was planning to go this year. But that changed and now my forehead will be empty again.”
This time the blessings have been slightly different, with many wishing the end of coronavirus says Pandit Prakash Dhodari.
Sonia Rai from Sydney is was hoping to celebrate the Hindu festival with her family in Nepal Source: Krishna Pokharel
Mr Dodhari is a Hindu priest and the founding member and treasurer of the Nepalese Hindu Society of Australia.
For him, this is one of the busiest months of the year.
“Despite coronavirus, this year hasn’t been much different either,” he says, citing the increasing number of Nepali speakers across Australia.
Mr Dhodari, who currently lives in the western Sydney suburb of Granville, has been in the country for the past 13 years. He is also a Hindu priest and the founding member and treasurer of Nepalese Hindu Society of Australia.
Dashain is the most auspicious festival in Nepal which is celebrated for 10 days by Nepalese Hindus marking the triumph of good over evil. Source: AAP
Granville and its neighbouring suburb of Auburn have the of Nepali language speakers in Australia.
“There are 14 Nepali households just in my street,” he says while talking about how much easier it has become to perform religious ceremonies due to the increased population.
“The Dashain festival, during previous years, used to be very difficult because we didn’t have enough items available in the country to perform religious ceremonies, we had to make a lot of sacrifices.”
With the New South Wales government , Mr Dhodari is thankful for the improved situation but says, with COVID-19 cases increasing in Nepal, many Nepalis in Australia are still unable to fully enjoy the festival.
Nepali origin Hindu priest Prakash Dhodari (centre) celebrating Dashain festival in Sydney with his family Source: Prakash Dhodari
“Many have coronavirus cases amongst their family members and close relatives, so this year’s Dashain has been sad for many.”
Dashain in Melbourne
The celebration of Vijayadashami was on the same day that saw zero new coronavirus infections and deaths in Victoria .
Melbourne resident Deepa Rai spent the day distributing food relief to over 400 Nepali students affected by the lockdown measures in the city.
With financial assistance from donors within the community, more than 30 people were involved in the preparation and delivery of free meals, that included chicken and goat curries and Sel, a Nepali style doughnut, an essential food item during the festival.
Ms Rai, who recalls Dashain celebrations of previous years, says “we used to enjoy time with friends, playing cards and eating lots of food”.
Nepali students in Melbourne received food package during Dashain festival Source: Deepa Rai
But this time it was a very touching experience for her.
“We took Dashain for granted previously – but now I understand how the students were feeling and how vulnerable they felt,” she says.
“For many international students, this was their first Dashain away from their families in Nepal. They wanted to put Tika with us too and that was very touching.”
With retail and hospitality businesses in from Tuesday, 27th October, many are hoping international students will soon be able to get back to work and not be forced to rely on others for assistance.
Deepa Rai is an active member within Melbourne's Nepali community. Source: Deepa Rai
Show your love by being COVID safe say authorities
Meanwhile, health authorities are urging community members to follow COVID-19 health advice and not become complacent about being tested if they experience any symptom consistent with COVID-19.
A spokesperson for the federal department of health says, “religious holidays, festivals and activities do not change the social distancing rules that currently apply across the country.”
“Environmental and social factors can significantly impact on the transmissibility of a virus. This includes large gatherings of people, particularly where common items are shared or touched, such as at celebrations, weddings or religious ceremonies,” they added.
A New South Wales Health spokesperson also had a similar message saying, “staying at home and away from others when you are unwell can be the greatest act of love.”
Food delivered to Nepali students from Melbourne for Dashain festival 4 Source: Deepa Rai
“Keep gatherings with friends and family small to protect yourself and loved ones and celebrate outdoors wherever possible and avoid crowded places.”
Victoria’s department of health and human services shared this reminder: “Anybody who gathers for a religious celebration must observe the coronavirus restrictions. This includes wearing a fitted face mask, practising good hygiene and physical distancing.”
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews holds a press conference in Melbourne Source: AAP
Check your jurisdiction's restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
Please check the relevant guidelines for your state or territory: , , , , , , .
