Nearly a year has passed since the devastating earthquake on November 3, 2023, but for Motikala Malla of Aathbiskot Municipality-14, Chhepare, the pain of that night is still fresh. The series of festivals that followed the tragedy have failed to bring any joy to her family.

“The earthquake hit right after Dashain last year. Since then, we haven’t celebrated Tihar or any other festival,” said Motikala. “Lives were lost, and what shouldn’t have happened befell on us. Now, those of us who survived are slowly trying to find joy again, but that day is hard to forget.”

Motikala's situation is shared by many in Rukum West and Jajarkot, where residents are trying to move past the pain of the earthquake and prepare for Dashain. Kaluram BK of Nalagadh Municipality-3 in Jajarkot shared his grief, “After losing family members to the earthquake, Dashain no longer holds its joyous meaning for us this year. However, those of us who are still alive will meet, share our happiness and sorrows, and observe the festival in our own way.”

In most of the earthquake-affected villages, not only Dashain but all festivals have lost their charm since the disaster. “We can’t live in mourning forever, so we’re trying to forget our pain and find happiness again,” added Kaluram.

The earthquake, which struck on November 3, caused partial or complete destruction of homes in Rukum West, affecting 32,996 families, while in Jajarkot, 24,707 homes suffered partial damage and 9,794 were completely destroyed. A total of 34,501 families were left displaced, and even today, many are still living in temporary shelters.

Ganesh Pun from China Bagar, Sanibheri Rural Municipality-1, is among those waiting for permanent earthquake-resistant homes to be built after the quake destroyed their houses. “We’ve been waiting for months for the government to provide the promised grant to rebuild. Winter and monsoon have passed, and we’re still living in temporary shelters. We may want to celebrate Dashain, but the situation doesn’t allow it,” he said with frustration.

Amid the usual festive atmosphere of autumn, for Ganesh and others like him, the arrival of Dashain feels bittersweet. “We’ve lost our loved ones, and the house where we used to celebrate is gone too,” Ganesh sighed, sitting by his tin shelter.

Manakala Mahatara of Aathbiskot-14 echoed similar sentiments, explaining how the earthquake had robbed them of their festivals. “We haven’t celebrated any festival since the earthquake killed my brother-in-law. Now that the mourning period has passed, we may observe Dashain, but it will never feel the same,” she shared.

In the affected areas, families who are able to celebrate Dashain have placed jamara (barley grass for the festival) in a corner of their shelters. “The house is gone, and the shelter is barely enough for the family. We’ve struggled to even find space to place the jamara,” said Ambakumari Chand of Sanibheri-4. “This year’s Dashain will be like this, but if we survive, perhaps next year we’ll have homes and a more vibrant celebration.”

While many earthquake victims are trying to move on and observe Dashain, the festive spirit is noticeably absent. For Pabitra Malla of Aathbiskot-14, the festival feels like a mere formality. “We’ve lost so much, but we still have to carry on with the joys and sorrows that follow. So, we’re trying to find some happiness in festivals and other occasions,” she said.

Despite their efforts, the victims of last year's earthquake continue to face the struggles of rebuilding their lives, both physically and emotionally, as they approach another Dashain in grief and uncertainty.