Dashain is the biggest festival in the Nepali calendar — fifteen days of family, feasts, tika, and the smell of sel roti filling the house. But for Nepalis living in Australia, it can also be the time of year you feel the distance from home the most. This guide is for every Nepali bhai-didi in Australia who wants to celebrate Dashain properly — no matter how far from Kathmandu you are.
Dashain 2026 Dates
Dashain 2026 falls in late September to early October. The exact dates follow the lunar Nepali calendar (Bikram Sambat), so check a Nepali patro app (Hamro Patro or Nepali Patro) for the precise dates each year. Key days to mark on your calendar:
- →Ghatasthapana — the first day, when jamara (barley seeds) is planted in the home. Falls around late September 2026
- →Phulpati — the seventh day, flowers and sacred plants are brought to the home
- →Maha Ashtami — the eighth day, sacred to Goddess Durga
- →Maha Navami — the ninth day, the most sacred day of worship
- →Vijaya Dashami — the tenth day, the main tika day. This is the big day — falls around early October 2026
- →Ekadashi — the eleventh day, when you receive tika from elders
- →Kojagrat Purnima — the full moon night marking the end of Dashain, around mid-October 2026
In Australia, most Nepali community events and Dashain gatherings are held on the weekend closest to Vijaya Dashami. Check your city's Nepali society Facebook page for the exact event date.
Where to Buy Dashain Essentials in Australia
You do not need to miss out on Dashain food just because you are in Australia. Here is what to look for and where:
- →Buff (buffalo meat) — available at Nepali and Indian/Halal butchers in most cities. In Perth: Mustang Grocery & Butchers (Cloverdale) and Sri Lankan/Halal butchers. In Melbourne: Indian butchers in Sunshine, Dandenong. In Sydney: Halal butchers in Parramatta, Lakemba. In Brisbane: Indian/Halal butchers in Sunnybank
- →Goat meat (khasi) — widely available at Halal butchers across Australia. Ask for whole leg or shoulder cuts for Navami feast
- →Sel roti ingredients — rice flour, ghee, sugar, and cardamom are available at any Nepali or Indian grocery. Pre-made sel roti is sometimes stocked at Nepali shops around festival time
- →Tika ingredients — red tika powder (sindoor/abir), rice, and yoghurt from Nepali or Indian grocery shops
- →Jamara — barley seeds for planting are available at health food stores and Indian grocery shops. Plant them 7–9 days before Vijaya Dashami
- →Dhaka fabric and kurta suruwal — some Nepali shops stock traditional clothing before Dashain, or order from Facebook groups selling Nepali clothing in Australia
- →Flowers for puja — marigolds and other puja flowers from local flower markets or supermarkets
Community Dashain Events — By City
Every major city has a Nepali community group that organises a Dashain celebration. These events are the best way to get tika, enjoy Nepali food, watch cultural performances, and feel the spirit of home. Look out for events from these groups:
- →Perth — Nepali Community Association of Western Australia (NCAWA) holds an annual Dashain celebration at a community hall. Watch their Facebook page for 2026 event details
- →Melbourne — Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) Victoria and Nepali Society of Victoria both host Dashain events. Melbourne has one of the largest Nepali communities in Australia
- →Sydney — Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) NSW organises a large Dashain event. Sydney's Nepali community often celebrates across multiple weekends
- →Brisbane — Nepali Society of Queensland and NRNA Queensland host events in Sunnybank area
- →Adelaide — Nepali Association of South Australia hosts annual Dashain gatherings
- →Canberra — Nepali Community Canberra organises events for the ACT Nepali community
- →Check hamrofind.au/events for upcoming community Dashain events as dates are announced
How to Do Tika Ceremony When Family is in Nepal
The hardest part of Dashain in Australia is not getting tika from your parents, grandparents, or elders. Here is how Nepali-Australians make it work:
- →Video call tika — many families do a live video call on Vijaya Dashami. The elder in Nepal applies tika on their own forehead on camera while reciting the blessing, and you mirror the action on your end applying tika to yourself. It is emotional but meaningful
- →Time zone planning — Nepal is 5 hours 45 minutes ahead of AEST (and 3 hours 45 minutes ahead of AWST). Dashami tika in Nepal typically happens from 7 AM onwards Nepal time. Plan your video call accordingly — it will be early morning in Australia (1:15 AM AEST / 3:15 AM AWST for the earliest time)
- →Community tika — attend your local Nepali community Dashain event where elders in the community give tika to younger members. This is a beautiful way to keep the tradition alive
- →Eldest family member in Australia — if you have parents, uncles, aunts, or elder relatives in Australia, they can give tika. The blessing comes from the elder's love, wherever they are
Many families do a group video call with grandparents, parents, and siblings all joining from different countries — Nepal, Australia, UK, USA. It turns the distance into something beautiful rather than sad. Set it up a few days in advance so everyone is ready.
Sending Gifts and New Clothes to Nepal
Dashain is the time for giving new clothes (luga) to family members back home. If you want to send a gift to Nepal before Dashain:
- →Send money — the fastest and most practical option. Use Wise (best exchange rate), Remitly, or Western Union. Send at least 2–3 weeks before Dashami to allow family to buy what they need
- →Send a parcel — Australia Post international parcels to Nepal take 2–4 weeks. Send at least 5–6 weeks before Dashain. Use DHL or FedEx for faster (but expensive) 3–5 day delivery
- →Nepali courier services — some Nepali-run courier businesses in Australia collect parcels and deliver to Nepal. Ask in your local Nepali Facebook group for trusted couriers
- →Book your own return ticket — many Nepali-Australians time their Nepal trip for Dashain. If you are a PR holder or citizen, this is a great option for attending Dashain in person
Dashain Food to Make at Home
Whether you are celebrating alone or hosting a feast for friends, these are the classic Dashain dishes to make at home in Australia:
- →Sel roti — the iconic rice flour ring doughnut. All ingredients available at Nepali or Indian grocery shops. Make a big batch and share with Nepali neighbours
- →Mutton or buff curry — slow-cooked with whole spices, ginger, garlic, and Nepali masala. Goat shoulder or buff are the traditional cuts
- →Khasi ko masu (goat meat curry) — Dashain is not complete without it. Buy goat from a Halal butcher and cook low and slow
- →Aloo tama bodi — bamboo shoot, potato, and black-eyed pea curry. A classic Nepali dish
- →Kwati — nine-bean soup traditionally made during Janai Purnima, sometimes enjoyed during Dashain too
- →Rasbari and kheer — for dessert, buy rasgulla from Indian sweets shops and make kheer (rice pudding) at home
Tips for Celebrating Dashain in Australia
- →Take time off work — Dashain is not a public holiday in Australia, so you will need to request annual leave. Apply early as many Nepalis take the same days off
- →Plant jamara early — plant barley seeds 7–9 days before Vijaya Dashami so they are grown and yellow by tika day. A small pot on a sunny windowsill works well
- →Set up a small puja space at home — even a simple altar with a photo of Goddess Durga, a diya lamp, flowers, and incense helps create the feeling of Dashain
- →Connect with the local community — attending the community Dashain event is the single best thing you can do. You will meet other Nepalis, share food, and feel the festival
- →Call home often — not just on tika day. Call parents, grandparents, and siblings throughout the fifteen days of Dashain. Your presence matters even from far away
- →Introduce Dashain to Australian friends — invite non-Nepali friends to join your Dashain meal. Sharing your culture builds beautiful friendships and keeps Nepali traditions alive in Australia
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