The Durgāpūjā/Navarātra/Navarātrī festival, commonly known in Nepal as Dasaĩ, is celebrated during the bright fortnight of the autumn month Āśvina (Baḍādasaĩ) and, on a smaller scale, in the spring month Caitra (Caityādasaĩ). It commemorates the worship of the warrior goddess Durgā, her battle with, and victory over, the “Buffalo Demon” (Mahiṣāsura). In royal Nepal, as elsewhere, it was the primary calendrical occasion for celebrating a conception of rule according to which the sovereignty of a human king is shared with and derives from his śakti—“might” or “regal power”—manifested in royal goddesses.
Under the Śāha kings, Dasaĩ developed into the major state festival celebrated throughout the country and by all social groups. In particular, the animal sacrifices associated with the festival became large-scale state ceremonies and were performed on behalf of the state throughout the realm and in all military units.
Places
Gorkha
K_0029_0044A: A copy of a rukkā issued by King Gīrvāṇayuddha appointing Vaijanātha Josī to perform the Dasaĩ rituals of Gorkhā Upallokoṭa (VS 1862)
K_0029_0044B: A copy of a rukkā from King Gīrvāṇayuddha ordering that Vaijanātha Josī be provided with certain items on a regular basis (VS 1862)
K_0030_0021F: A copy of a lālamohara issued by King Gīrvāṇayuddha instructing Sarvajita Nāu to provide plants for Dasaĩ rituals (VS 1863)
K_0030_0036B: A copy of a lālamohara issued by King Gīrvāṇayuddha appointing Gajabhāryā Ḍamāī as drummer at Gorkhā's dasaĩghara (VS 1863)
K_0030_0050A: A copy of a lālamohara issued by King Gīrvāṇayuddha regarding the purchase of rams and billy goats for Dasaĩ rituals in Gorkha (VS 1863)
K_0029_0025A: A copy of a lālamohara issued by King Gīrvāṇayuddha appointing Vaijanātha Arjyāla as priest of Gorkhā Upallokoṭa (VS 1864)
RRC_0009_0002: A copy of a lālamohara issued by King Gīrvāṇayuddha appointing Raṇasura Thāpā as caretaker of the guṭhī associated with Śrī Kālī (VS 1866)
K_0013_0020E: A copy of a lālamohara issued by King Gīrvāṇayuddha appointing Vaijanātha Arjyāla and Vetu Arjyāla as priests of Gorkhā Upallokoṭa (VS 1873)
K_0013_0022B: A copy of a lālamohara issued by King Rājendra appointing Rāmacandra Arjyāla as priest of Gorkhā Upallokoṭa (VS 1873)
K_0013_0024E: A copy of a lālamohara issued by King Rājendra appointing Rāmacandra Khatrī to perform Dasaĩ rituals (VS 1874)
K_0013_0033E: A copy of a lālamohara issued by King Rājendra appointing Nityānanda Josī Arjyāla as priest of Gorkhā Upallokoṭa (VS 1878)
DNA_0010_0019: A rukkā of King Rājendra regarding the annual provision of certain items to Narāja Bāniyā̃ (VS 1880)
Purkoṭ Guṭhi
K_0120_0020: A copy of a copperplate inscription recording the donation of land by King Gīrvāṇayuddha’s mother for the worship of Mahāmāyā at Gorkha (VS 1856)
K_0020_0007B: A copy of a lālamohara issued by King Gīrvāṇayuddha to finance the worship of Śrī Kālikā at Gorkhā's dasaĩghara (VS 1865)
RRC_0009_0002: A copy of a lālamohara issued by King Gīrvāṇayuddha appointing Raṇasura Thāpā as caretaker of the guṭhī associated with Śrī Kālī (VS 1866)
K_0015_0022B: A copy of a lālamohara issued by King Rājendra appointing Tārānātha Arjyāla as caretaker of the guṭhī attached to Gorkha's dasaĩghara (VS 1876)
K_0016_0028B: A copy of a lālamohara issued by King Rājendra appointing Lakṣmīnātha Bhaṭṭarāī as caretaker of the guṭhī attached to Śrī Kālikā of Gorkhā (VS 1889)
K_0003_0035C: A copy of a lālamohara issued by King Rājendra appointing Hemalāla as caretaker of the guṭhī of Gorkha's dasaĩghara (VS 1890)
K_0120_0024: A copy of a lālamohara from King Pṛthvī Vīra Vikrama regarding rituals for Śrī Kālikā of Gorkhā Palace (VS 1942)
K_0120_0021: A note from Gorkha Palace to the Guṭhī Bandobasta Aḍḍā accompanying the copy of a copperplate (VS 1960)
Kathmandu
K_0582_0045: A copy of a rukkā from King Raṇabahādura listing material provided for Navarātra worship (VS 1838)
K_0625_0039: A lālamohara from King Raṇabahādura to Lakṣmīnārāyana Putuvāra regarding the reward for building a dasaĩghara (VS 1849)
DNA_0013_0031: A lālamohara from King Gīrvāṇayuddha granting land to Badhuvā Nagārci for conducting rituals (VS 1864)
K_0582_0046: A rukkā from King Gīrvāṇayuddha to the trustees and servants of Śrī Bhagavatī of Kaḍelacoka regarding worship materials for the Dasaĩ festival (VS 1867)
PN_0016_0004: A rukkā from King Rājendra regarding the provision of a sacrificial buffalo (VS 1870)
E_2776_0001: A document listing the buffaloes sacrificed during Dasaĩ at the royal palace (VS 1886)
E_2767_0049: A document listing the buffaloes sacrificed during the Dasaĩ festival at the royal palace (VS 1888)
E_2775_0040: A document listing the buffaloes sacrificed during Dasaĩ at the royal palace (VS 1900)
E_2764_0036: A document listing the buffaloes sacrificed during Dasaĩ at the royal palace (VS 1902)
E_2779_0019: A document listing the buffaloes sacrificed during Dasaĩ at the royal palace (VS 1902)
E_2779_0005: A document listing the buffaloes sacrificed during Dasaĩ at the royal palace (VS 1908)
DNA_0012_0056: A rukkā from King Surendra to the chief officer of the Kausī Tosākhānā containing new regulations for the Daitya and Kumāra dances at the Taleju temple (VS 1933)
K_0476_0060: A copy of a purjī from C-in-C General Deva Śamśera to Biseṭ Ḍiṭṭhā Jotirāja Śreṣṭha regarding the Dasaĩ rituals at the Pāñcāyana temple (VS 1944)
K_0636_0036: A copy of a purjī from Commander-in-Chief General Deva Śamśera to Kharidāra Harilāla regarding the Baḍādasaĩ rituals at the Pāñcāyana temple (VS 1947)
K_0379_0073: A copy of a purjī from C-in-C General Deva Śamśera to Kharidāra Narahari Pādhyā regarding the Baḍādasaĩ rituals at the Pāñcāyana temple (VS 1951)
K_0625_0006: A copy of a purjī from C-in-C General Deva Śamśera to Kharidāra Narahari Pādhyā regarding the Baḍādasaĩ rituals at the Pāñcāyana temple (VS 1953)
K_0640_0019: A copy of a purjī from Commander-in-Chief General Deva Śamśera to Kharidāra Candra Bahādura Sāha regarding the Dasaĩ rituals at the Pāñcāyana temple (VS 1954)
K_0614_0041: A letter from Commander-in-Chief Deva Śamśera instructing the treasurer Kharca Aḍḍā to disburse funds to the Pūrṇeśvarapākaśālā on the occasion of Baḍādasaĩ (VS 1955)
K_0614_0029: A copy of a purjī from Commander-in-Chief General Deva Śamśera to the Guṭhī Kharca Aḍḍā regarding the Baḍādasaĩ rituals at the Pāñcāyana temple (VS 1955)
K_0608_0055: A letter from Commander-in-Chief Deva Śamśera ordering Candra Bahādura Sāhī to account for expenses incurred in providing meat on the occasion of Baḍādasaĩ (VS 1957)
E_2766_0062: A list of expenditures for sacrificial animals for Dasaĩ (VS 1962)
K_0351_0071: A note from the Guṭhī Bandobasta Aḍḍā to the Guṭhī Kharca Aḍḍā requesting information on feeding the poor on the occasion of Baḍādasaĩ (VS 1964)
K_0351_0072: A letter to the Guṭhī Bandobasta Aḍḍā ordering that meat no longer be given to the poor during Baḍādasaĩ (VS 1964)
K_0128_0057: A note from the Mulukī Aḍḍā to the Guṭhī Bandobasta Aḍḍā regarding the serving of meat during Baḍādasaĩ (VS 1967)
K_0488_0009: A copy of a purjī from Bhīma Śamśera instructing the Guṭhī Kharca Aḍḍā to disburse funds to the Pūrṇeśvarapākaśālā on the occasion of Baḍādasaĩ (VS 1967)
K_0488_0012: A copy of a purjī from Bhīma Śamśera to the Guṭhī Kharca Aḍḍā regarding the feeding of the poor during Baḍādasaĩ (VS 1967)
K_0382_0029: A copy of a purjī from Commander-in-Chief Bhīma Śamśera instructing the Guṭhī Kharca Aḍḍā to disburse funds to the Pūrṇeśvarapākaśālā on the occasion of Baḍādasaĩ (VS 1968)
K_0382_0036: A copy of a purjī from C-in-C General Bhīma Śamśera instructing the Guṭhī Kharca Aḍḍā to disburse funds to mahantas on the occasion of Baḍā Dasaĩ (VS 1968)
K_0384_0064: A copy of a purjī from Commander-in-Chief Bhīma Śamśera instructing the Guṭhī Kharca Aḍḍā to disburse funds to the Pūrṇeśvarapākaśālā on the occasion of Baḍādasaĩ (VS 1969)
K_0384_0065: A copy of a purjī from C-in-C General Bhīma Śamśera instructing the Guṭhī Kharca Aḍḍā to disburse funds to mahantas on the occasion of Baḍā Dasaĩ (VS 1969)
K_0395_0041: A copy of a purjī from Commander-in-Chief Bhīma Śamśera instructing the Guṭhī Kharca Aḍḍā to disburse funds to the Pūrṇeśvarapākaśālā on the occasion of Baḍādasaĩ (VS 1970)
K_0395_0049: A copy of a purjī from Commander-in-Chief General Bhīma Śamśera instructing the Guṭhī Kharca Aḍḍā to disburse funds to the Pūrṇeśvarapākaśālā on the occasion of Baḍādasaĩ (VS 1970)
K_0395_0065: A copy of a purjī from C-in-C General Bhīma Śamśera instructing the Guṭhī Kharca Aḍḍā to disburse funds to ascetic institutions on the occasion of Baḍā Dasaĩ (VS 1970)
K_0395_0066: A copy of a purjī from C-in-C General Bhīma Śamśera instructing the Guṭhī Kharca Aḍḍā to disburse funds to ascetic institutions on the occasion of Baḍā Dasaĩ (VS 1970)
K_0394_0028: A copy of a purjī from Eastern Commanding General Dharma Śamśera Jaṅga Bahādura Rāṇā instructing the Guṭhī Kharca Aḍḍā to disburse funds to ascetic institutions on the occasion of Baḍā Dasaĩ (VS 1974)
Patan
K_0214_0044: A darkhāsta from Vimalāramaṇa Rājopādhyā to the Guṭhī Bandobasta Aḍḍā requesting material provisions for installing a new Kumārī (VS 1980)
K_0214_0045: A purjī from the Guṭhī Bandobasta Aḍḍā to the Kausī Tosākhānā requesting a disbursement of funds for installing a new Kumārī (VS 1980)
K_0214_0046: A purjī from the Guṭhī Bandobasta Aḍḍā to the Guṭhī Kharca Aḍḍā ordering the disbursement of funds for installing a new Kumārī (VS 1980)
K_0214_0047: A purjī from the Guṭhī Bandobasta Aḍḍā to the Kausī Tosākhānā requesting the disbursement of funds for installing a new Kumārī (VS 1980)
Bhaktapur
K_0230_0034: A purjī of Commander-in-Chief Bhīma Śamśera ordering the Gūṭhī Bandobasta Aḍḍā to summon recalcitrant ritualists of Bhaktapur's Taleju for the Dasaĩ festival (VS 1962)
Deopatan
K_0252_0018: A purjī from the Mulukī Aḍḍā to the Guṭhī Bandobasta Aḍḍā regarding the performance of Navarātra rituals by Bharapūranātha (VS 1978)
K_0252_0021: A written note from the accounts office of the Baḍā Gurujyu to the Guṭhi Bandobasta Aḍḍā regarding the appointment of Bharapuranātha as the new abbot of the monastery of Gorakhanātha (VS 1978)
K_0252_0022: A kabuliyata from Bharapuranātha Jogī to the Guṭhī Bandobasta Aḍḍā regarding his appointment as the new abbot of the monastery of Gorakhanātha (VS 1978)
Argha
K_0020_0031B: A copy of a lālamohara issued by King Rājendra appointing Hutadhvaja Sāhi to oversee the Dasaĩ worship at Arghā (VS 1877)
K_0078_0022A: A copy of a rukkā issued by King Rājendra appointing Nītyānaṃda Acārja and others to perform rituals at Arghā Palace (VS 1888)
K_0003_0036C: A copy of a lālamohara issued by King Rājendra appointing Bhīmasena Mājhī and Punai Jaisī to oversee the Dasaĩ worship of Śrī Mahākālī at Arghākoṭa (VS 1890)
K_0017_0001B: A copy of a lālamohara issued by King Rājendra appointing Bhīmasena Mājhī to oversee Dasaĩ worship at Arghākoṭa (VS 1892)
K_0031_0019C: A copy of a lālamohara issued by King Rājendra appointing Gokula Pādhyā and Curai Pādhyā to oversee the Dasaĩ rituals at Argha (VS 1902)
Nuvakot
K_0029_0033C: A copy of a lālamohara issued by King Gīrvāṇayuddha reconfirming Viṣṇu Sāhī as the custodian of the sword of the dasaĩghara at Nuvakot (VS 1864)
Garhwal
K_0029_0035A: A lālamohara issued by King Gīrvāṇayuddha appointing Joturāma and Mohyārāma to perform the rituals of Śrī Candravadanī (VS 1864)
Jumla
K_0007_0043C: A copy of a rukkā from King Rājendra exempting Viṣnupada Pādhyā and Badrī Pādhyā from annual payments in return for performing Dasaĩ rituals (VS 1895)
Dhankuta
K_0004_0003A: A copy of a rukkā from King Rājendra endowing land for worshipping Śrī Mārgadevī of Dhankuta (VS 1892)
Salyankot
DNA_0013_0023: A lālamohara from King Gīrvāṇayuddha endowing land to Cāmyā Damāī for a trust for the upkeep of musical instruments (VS 1869)
Palāñcoka
K_0579_0071: A copy of a letter from Kaparadara Kalidasa Khadka regarding the worship of Sree Bhagavati at Palancoka (VS 1841)
K_0580_0002: A copy of a lālamohara from King Raṇabahādura regarding a trust for worshipping Śrī Bhagavatī of Palāñcoka (VS 1847)
Material provisions
Sacrificial animals
PN_0016_0004: A rukkā from King Rājendra regarding the provision of a sacrificial buffalo (VS 1870)
E_2776_0001: A document listing the buffaloes sacrificed during Dasaĩ at the royal palace (VS 1886)
E_2767_0049: A document listing the buffaloes sacrificed during the Dasaĩ festival at the royal palace (VS 1888)
E_2775_0040: A document listing the buffaloes sacrificed during Dasaĩ at the royal palace (VS 1900)
E_2764_0036: A document listing the buffaloes sacrificed during Dasaĩ at the royal palace (VS 1902)
E_2779_0019: A document listing the buffaloes sacrificed during Dasaĩ at the royal palace (VS 1902)
E_2779_0005: A document listing the buffaloes sacrificed during Dasaĩ at the royal palace (VS 1908)
E_2942_0018: A letter from Gen. Raṇa Uddīpasiṃha Kũvara Rāṇā instructing people to pay for animals procured for Dasaĩ (VS 1916)
E_3446_0011: A letter from Jagata Jaṅga Rāṇā to officials in Kutāṅbhoṭ regarding Dasaĩ practices (VS 1934)
K_0402_0058: A letter from Prime Minister Bīra Śamśera to the Guṭhī Kharca Aḍḍā rejecting the purchase of fodder for male goats and male buffaloes (VS 1948)
E_3456_0041: A letter from Hanumān Nagara Aminī Gosvārā to Caudharī Rāmalāla of Khālīsā requesting provisions for Dasaĩ (VS 1952)
E_2782_0009: A rukkā from Bīra Śamśera to the officials of the Rautahat and Sarlahi districts ordering the provision of sacrificial animals for Dasaĩ (VS 1956)
E_2766_0062: A list of expenditures for sacrificial animals for Dasaĩ (VS 1962)
Warfare, prasāda, ṭīkābheṭī, etc.
K_0090_0049: A copy of a rukkā from King Gīrvāṇayuddha confirming Saṃkaradatta Vajhā to the office of priest (VS 1860)
RRC_0006_0604: A copy of a letter from the king to Kājī Aṃbarasīṃ Thāpā regarding the sending of a sword (VS 1862)
DNA_0002_0020: A letter from Kṛṣṇa Nārāyan Malla to Bhīmasen Thāpā regarding the messenger Sarup Biṣṭa (undated)
DNA_0001_0066: A letter from Badarībāṇa Sāhī regarding the sending of Dasaĩ prasāda (VS 1877)
K_0003_0017A: A copy of a lālamohara from King Rājendra confirming the office of priest upon Saṃkaradatta Jhā (VS 1887)
DNA_0015_0091: A rukkā from the king granting Prime Minister Jaṅga Bahādura Kũvara the allowances previously enjoyed by Bhimasena Thāpā (VS 1903)
DNA_0002_0061: A letter from Khaḍga Bahādura Kũvara Rāṇā regarding the sending of Dasaĩ tilakas and prasādas (VS 1905)
E_2778_0047: A receipt for the ṭīkābheṭ levy paid to the generals of Thāpāthalī (VS 1918)
Charity
K_0614_0041: A letter from Commander-in-Chief Deva Śamśera instructing the treasurer Kharca Aḍḍā to disburse funds to the Pūrṇeśvarapākaśālā on the occasion of Baḍādasaĩ (VS 1955)
K_0608_0055: A letter from Commander-in-Chief Deva Śamśera ordering Candra Bahādura Sāhī to account for expenses incurred in providing meat on the occasion of Baḍādasaĩ (VS 1957)
K_0660_0052: A letter from Commander-in-Chief Bhīma Śamśera instructing the treasurer Kharca Aḍḍā to disburse funds to the Pūrṇeśvarapākaśālā on the occasion of Baḍādasaĩ (VS 1960)
K_0664_0017: A purjī from Commander-in-Chief Bhīma Śamśera instructing the Guṭhī Kharca Aḍḍā to disburse funds to the Pūrṇeśvarapākaśālā on the occasion of Baḍādasaĩ (VS 1961)
K_0351_0071: A note from the Guṭhī Bandobasta Aḍḍā to the Guṭhī Kharca Aḍḍā requesting information on feeding the poor on the occasion of Baḍādasaĩ (VS 1964)
K_0351_0072: A letter to the Guṭhī Bandobasta Aḍḍā ordering that meat no longer be given to the poor during Baḍādasaĩ (VS 1964)
K_0128_0057: A note from the Mulukī Aḍḍā to the Guṭhī Bandobasta Aḍḍā regarding the serving of meat during Baḍādasaĩ (VS 1967)
K_0488_0012: A copy of a purjī from Bhīma Śamśera to the Guṭhī Kharca Aḍḍā regarding the feeding of the poor during Baḍādasaĩ (VS 1967)
K_0488_0009: A copy of a purjī from Bhīma Śamśera instructing the Guṭhī Kharca Aḍḍā to disburse funds to the Pūrṇeśvarapākaśālā on the occasion of Baḍādasaĩ (VS 1967)
K_0382_0029: A copy of a purjī from Commander-in-Chief Bhīma Śamśera instructing the Guṭhī Kharca Aḍḍā to disburse funds to the Pūrṇeśvarapākaśālā on the occasion of Baḍādasaĩ (VS 1968)
K_0384_0064: A copy of a purjī from Commander-in-Chief Bhīma Śamśera instructing the Guṭhī Kharca Aḍḍā to disburse funds to the Pūrṇeśvarapākaśālā on the occasion of Baḍādasaĩ (VS 1969)
K_0395_0041: A copy of a purjī from Commander-in-Chief Bhīma Śamśera instructing the Guṭhī Kharca Aḍḍā to disburse funds to the Pūrṇeśvarapākaśālā on the occasion of Baḍādasaĩ (VS 1970)
K_0395_0049: A copy of a purjī from Commander-in-Chief General Bhīma Śamśera instructing the Guṭhī Kharca Aḍḍā to disburse funds to the Pūrṇeśvarapākaśālā on the occasion of Baḍādasaĩ (VS 1970)
