The biggest Hindu festival of Dashain officially started from Saturday. The 15-day festival is the longest and most-awaited festival of Nepal celebrated by around 80 percent of the country’s population. The Kathmandu Post caught up with some of the prominent business people to talk about their plans to celebrate Dashain.

Pashupati Murarka

President, FNCCI

It’s our national festival. For businessmen, this is the only vacation. I take this as an opportunity to spend quality time with my family and meet friends who visit the country from abroad to celebrate the festival. I allocate some time to study and review my business as well as make future plans. Besides, this festival has significance in terms of our tradition and culture. Puja and other rituals performed during Dashain gives a kind of positive energy. So I take this festival as a mix of culture and fun.

Bhawani Rana

Senior Vice-president, FNCCI

Dashain is the biggest festival of Hindus and it has religious and cultural significance. Unlike many others who take this festival as vacation, I have been observing it very religiously. Each days of Dashain has its significance. Basically, I worship holy goddesses—Nawa Durga, Mahakali, Mahalaxmi and Mahasaraswati and fast for nine days. On the final tenth day, there is gathering of family and relatives where we exchange greetings and receive Tika and Jamara from senior family members.  

Saurabh Jyoti

Director of Jyoti Group

I consider it as one of the biggest festival celebrated by large number of Nepalis. I try to celebrate this festival together will my family. For me, it is mix of tradition and culture as well as fun. Like other Nepalis, I also follow religious and cultural aspects of the festival. Apart from that, I plan to take out some time for travelling. This Dashain, I am planning to visit two to three places of Nepal that I have not visited yet. Earlier, I used to visit abroad. But for last three years, I have prioritised visiting different places of my own country.

Hari Bhakta Sharma

Executive Director, Deurali Janta Pharmaceuticals

This festival is important for me in various ways. First of all, it has a huge cultural significance. It is our tradition to celebrate Dashain with our families and friends. Also, we get time to be free from the stressful life. During this Dashain, I am planning to visit my close relatives in Pokhara for Tika.

Chandra Dhakal

IME Group of Companies

Dashain is the longest and the most auspicious festival for Nepali Hindus. For a business person like me, it is important in two ways—culturally as well as business. No one denies the cultural and religious significance of this festival. Likewise, this festival is very important business-wise. Public spending is very high during the festival, giving a huge boost to businesses. Also, since there is a long vacation, we get respite from our gruelling work schedule. I try to spend quality time with my family and friends during the festival. I am also planning to visit Indonesia for a annual trade fair which is held in October every year.

Sekhar Golchha

Executive Director, Golchha Organisation

This is one of the most-awaited festivals of Nepal. Dashain is also very important for businesses dealing in automobiles and electronics as the sales peak during this the of the year. Being involved in both the businesses, this festival is important for me as a business person. Besides, I take out time for the reflection of activities done in the year. I try not to leave Nepal, and especially Kathmandu, because during this festival the Capital city is very relaxed. However, I am planning to visit some destinations in Nepal this time. I don’t know if it will work out, but I am planning to drive all the way to Rara this Dashian.