Latter the British rulers brought in Christian missionaries, who converted some of them to Christianity. Hinduism arrived with the Nepalese settlers, who also taught the Lepchas to farm the land. Today the ethnic groups are fused together in harmony. They have adopted Nepali as a link language, yet maintained their diverse cultural identity. It is an ideal place to peep into lifestyles of this fascinating hill community. It also has diverse flora, well-developed mountain agriculture, forests, and river valleys, and offers breathtaking views of the Panorama of snows.

AUG

Weeding of  paddy and Kodo crop – a back breaking job
The maize crop is harvested

SEPT

Weeding of crops continues

OCT – NOV

By the end of October the monsoons come to a stop, and the dry season begins.

Oct has days of mellow weather with some showers.

Oct is the festival season. Durga Puja is  followed by Tihar (Diwali) are the two main festivals of the Hindu Nepalese. All the houses are renovated, cleaned and whitewashed / painted

Dashain (Durga puja)

Dashain comprises fifteen days of celebration during the lunar fortnight ending on the day of the full moon. Goddess Durga in all her manifestations is worshiped with innumerable pujas, abundant offerings and animal sacrifices.

Dashain commemorates a great victory of the gods over the wicked demons. One of the victory stories told is the Ramayan, where the lord Ram after a big struggle slaughtered Ravana, the king of demons. It is said that lord Ram was successful in the battle only when goddess Durga was evoked. The main celebration glorifies the triumph of good over evil and is symbolized by goddess Durga slaying the terrible demon Mahisasur, who terrorized the earth in the guise of a brutal water buffalo. The first nine days signify the nine days of battle between goddess Durga and the demon Mahisasur. The tenth day is the day when Mahisasur was slain and the last five days symbolize the celebration of the victory with the blessing of the goddess.

In preparation for Dashain every home is cleansed and beautifully decorated, painted as an invitation to Godess Durga and Laxmi, so that they may visit and bless the house with good fortune. During this time family members assemble from far & near to be together. Gifts of  new clothing, and supplies of temple offering for the gods, as well as foodstuffs for the family feasting, are purchased. Sheep, goats, ducks, chicken and even water buffalo are prepared for the sacrifice.

The first nine days of Dashain are called nawa ratri when tantric rites are conducted. It is believed that life force is embodied in the divine energy and power of the female, depicted as goddess Durga in her many forms. All goddess who emanated from goddess Durga are known as devis, each with different aspects and powers. In most Durga temples the deity is represented simply as a sacred Kalash - carved water jug, or multiple handed goddess holding murderous weapons. During these nine days people pay their homage to the goddess. People strongly believe that if Godess Durga is properly worshiped and pleased, good fortunes are on the way and if angered through neglect then misfortunes are around the corner.

The first day of Dashain is called Ghatasthapana, which literally means pot establishing. On this day the kalash, (holy water vessel) symbolizing goddess Durga; often with her image embossed on the side is placed in the prayer room. The kalash is filled with holy water and covered with cowdung on to which seeds are sown. A small rectangular sand block is made and the kalash is put in the centre. The surrounding bed of sand is also seeded with grains. The ghatasthapana ritual is performed at a certain auspicious moment determined by the astrologers. At that particular moment the priest intones a welcome, requesting goddess Durga to bless the vessel with her presence. The room where the kalash is established is called ‘Dashain Ghar’. Generally women are not allowed to enter the room where Dashain puja is being carried out. A priest or a household man worships the kalash everyday once in the morning and then in the evening. The kalash and the sand are sprinkled with holy water everyday and it is shielded from direct sunlight. By the tenth day, the seed will have grown to five or six inches long yellow grass. The sacred yellow grass is called ‘Jamara’. This is blessed and put by the elders on the foreheads of those younger to them during the last five days when tika is put on. The jamara is accepted as a token of Goddess Durga as well as the blessings of the elders.

The eighth day is called the ‘Maha Asthami’. The fervor of worship and sacrifice to Durga and Kali increases. On this day many orthodox Hindus will be fasting. Sacrifices are held in almost every house through out the day. The night of the eighth day is called ‘Kal Ratri’, the dark night. Goats, sheep and buffaloes are sacrificed at the mother goddess temples. The sacrifice continues till dawn. During this period feasts are held in the homes of common people where large amount of meat is consumed.

The ninth day is called ‘Nawami’. On this day special prayers are offered to Godess Durga  Animals are sacrificed by the community to honour Durga the goddess of victory and might, and to seek her blessing.. On this very day the god Vishwas Karma, the God of creativity is also worshiped. All instruments and anything from which artisans make a living are worshiped. Godess Durga is also invoked to get her blessing for protection for vehicles and their occupants against accidents during the year.

The tenth day is the ‘Dashami’. On this day Elders apply the tika and jamara  and bestow their blessings. The importance of Dasain also lies in the fact that on this day family members from far off and distant relatives come for a visit as well as to get the tika applied from the head of the family. This function continues for four days. After four days of rushing around and meeting relatives Dashain ends on the full moon day, the fifteenth day. On this the last day people stay at home and rest. The full moon day is also called ‘Kojagrata’ meaning ‘who is awake’. The Hindu goddess of wealth Laxmi is worshipped. ( Laxmi Puja). On this day the goddess Laxmi is invited to visit each and every home.