The Durgāpūjā/Navarātra/Navarātrī festival, in Nepal commonly known 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 stages the worship of the warrior goddess Durgā, her battle with and victory over “Buffalo Demon” (Mahiṣāsura). In royal Nepal as elsewhere, it was the prime calendric occasion to celebrate 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,” manifest in royal goddesses.

Under the Śāha kings Dasaĩ developed into the major state festival to be celebrated country-wide and by all groups. Especially the attending animal sacrifices became large-scale state affairs and were performed on behalf of the state all throughout the realm and in all army units.

Places

Gorkha

K_0029_0044A: A copy of a rukkā from King Gīrvāṇayuddha appointing Vaijanātha Josī to conduct 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 certain items regularly (VS 1862)

K_0030_0021F: A copy of a lālamohara from King Gīrvāṇayuddha directing Sarvajita Nāu to provide plants for Dasaĩ rituals (VS 1863)

K_0030_0036B: A copy of a lālamohara from King Gīrvāṇayuddha appointing Gajabhāryā Ḍamāī as drummer at Gorkhā's dasaĩghara (VS 1863)

K_0030_0050A: A copy of a lālamohara of King Gīrvāṇayuddha re the purchase of rams and he-goats for Dasaĩ rituals in Gorkha (VS 1863)

K_0029_0025A: A copy of a lālamohara from King Gīrvāṇayuddha appointing Vaijanātha Arjyāla as priest of Gorkhā Upallokoṭa (VS 1864)

RRC_0009_0002: A copy of a lālamohara from King Gīrvāṇayuddha appointing Raṇasura Thāpā as caretaker of the guṭhī attached to Śrī Kālī (VS 1866)

K_0013_0020E: A copy of a lālamohara from King Gīrvāṇayuddha appointing Vaijanātha Arjyāla and Vetu Arjyāla as priests of Gorkhā Upallokoṭa (VS 1873)

K_0013_0022B: A copy of a lālamohara from King Rājendra appointing Rāmacandra Arjyāla as priest of Gorkhā Upallokoṭa (VS 1873)

K_0013_0024E: A copy of a lālamohara from King Rājendra appointing Rāmacandra Khatrī to perform Dasaĩ rituals (VS 1874)

K_0013_0033E: A copy of a lālamohara from King Rājendra appointing Nityānanda Josī Arjyāla as priest of Gorkhā Upallokoṭa (VS 1878)

DNA_0010_0019: A rukkā of King Rājendra re the annual provision of certain items to Narāja Bāniyā̃ (VS 1880)

 

Purkoṭ Guṭhi

K_0120_0020: A copy of a copperplate 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 from King Gīrvāṇayuddha re financing worship of Śrī Kālikā at Gorkhā's dasaĩghara (VS 1865)

RRC_0009_0002: A copy of a lālamohara from King Gīrvāṇayuddha appointing Raṇasura Thāpā as caretaker of the guṭhī attached to Śrī Kālī (VS 1866)

K_0015_0022B: A copy of a lālamohara from 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 from 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 from 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 re 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 re 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 re worship material for the Dasaĩ festival (VS 1867)

PN_0016_0004: A rukkā from King Rājendra re 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 Dasaĩ 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 re the Dasaĩ rituals at the Pāñcāyana temple (VS 1944)

K_0636_0036: A copy of a purjī from C-in-C General Deva Śamśera to Kharidāra Harilāla re 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 re 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 re the Baḍādasaĩ rituals at the Pāñcāyana temple (VS 1953)

K_0640_0019: A copy of a purjī from C-in-C General Deva Śamśera to Kharidāra Candra Bahādura Sāha re the Dasaĩ rituals at the Pāñcāyana temple (VS 1954)

K_0614_0041: A purjī from C-in-C Deva Śamśera instructing the Guṭhī Kharca Aḍḍā to disburse funds to the Pūrṇeśvarapākaśālā on the occasion of Baḍādasaĩ (VS 1955)

K_0614_0029: A copy of a purjī from C-in-C General Deva Śamśera to the Guṭhī Kharca Aḍḍā re the Baḍādasaĩ rituals at the Pāñcāyana temple (VS 1955)

K_0608_0055: A purjī from C-in-C Deva Śamśera ordering Candra Bahādura Sāhī to account for expenditures for feeding 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 asking for information on feeding the poor on the occasion of Baḍādasaĩ (VS 1964)

K_0351_0072: A purjī to the Guṭhī Bandobasta Aḍḍā ordering that meat cease to be fed to the poor during Baḍādasaĩ (VS 1964)

K_0128_0057: A note from the Mulukī Aḍḍā to the Guṭhī Bandobasta Aḍḍā re 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 re the feeding of the poor during Baḍādasaĩ (VS 1967)

K_0382_0029: A copy of a purjī from C-in-C 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 C-in-C 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 C-in-C 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 C-in-C 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 re the performance of Navarātra rituals by Bharapūranātha (VS 1978)

K_0252_0021: A written note from of the accounts office of the Baḍā Gurujyu to the Guṭhi Bandobasta Aḍḍā re 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 re his appointment as the new abbot of the monastery of Gorakhanātha (VS 1978)

 

Argha

K_0020_0031B: A copy of a lālamohara from King Rājendra appointing Hutadhvaja Sāhi to manage the Dasaĩ worship at Arghā (VS 1877)

K_0078_0022A: A copy of a rukkā from King Rājendra appointing Nītyānaṃda Acārja et al. to perform rituals at Arghā Palace (VS 1888)

K_0003_0036C: A copy of a lālamohara from King Rājendra appointing Bhīmasena Mājhī and Punai Jaisī to manage the Dasaĩ worship of Śrī Mahākālī at Arghākoṭa (VS 1890)

K_0017_0001B: A copy of a lālamohara from King Rājendra appointing Bhīmasena Mājhī to manage Dasaĩ worship at Arghākoṭa (VS 1892)

K_0031_0019C: A copy of a lālamohara from King Rājendra appointing Gokula Pādhyā and Curai Pādhyā to manage Dasaĩ rituals at Argha (VS 1902)

 

Nuvakot

K_0029_0033C: A copy of a lālamohara from King Gīrvāṇayuddha reconfirming Viṣṇu Sāhī as being in charge of the sword of the dasaĩghara at Nuvakot (VS 1864)

 

Garhwal

K_0029_0035A: A lālamohara from King Gīrvāṇayuddha appointing Joturāma and Mohyārāma to conduct 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 Kaparadāra Kālidāsa Khaḍkā re the worship of Śrī Bhagavatī at Palāñcoka (VS 1841)

K_0580_0002: A copy of a lālamohara from King Raṇabahādura re a trust for worshipping Śrī Bhagavatī of Palāñcoka (VS 1847)

 

Material provisions

Sacrificial animals

PN_0016_0004: A rukkā from King Rājendra re 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 Dasaĩ 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 directing persons 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 purjī from Prime Minister Bīra Śamśera to the Guṭhī Kharca Aḍḍā rejecting the purchase of fodder for he-goats and he-buffaloes (VS 1948)

E_3456_0041: A purjī from the 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 officers of 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 et al.

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 bhanāi of a letter by the king to Kājī Aṃbarasīṃ Thāpā re the sending of a sword (VS 1862)

DNA_0002_0020: A patra from Kṛṣṇa Nārāyan Malla to Bhīmasen Thāpā re the message bearer Sarup Biṣṭa (n.d.)

DNA_0001_0066: An arjī from Badarībāṇa Sāhī re 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 allowances previously enjoyed by Bhimasena Thāpā (VS 1903)

DNA_0002_0061: An arjī from Khaḍga Bahādura Kũvara Rāṇā re the sending of Dasaĩ tilakas and prasādas (VS 1905)

E_2778_0047: A receipt for the ṭīkābheṭ levy offered to the generals of Thāpāthalī (VS 1918)

 

Charity

K_0614_0041: A purjī from C-in-C Deva Śamśera instructing the Guṭhī Kharca Aḍḍā to disburse funds to the Pūrṇeśvarapākaśālā on the occasion of Baḍādasaĩ (VS 1955)

K_0608_0055: A purjī from C-in-C Deva Śamśera ordering Candra Bahādura Sāhī to account for expenditures for feeding meat on the occasion of Baḍādasaĩ (VS 1957)

K_0660_0052: A purjī from C-in-C Bhīma Śamśera instructing the Guṭhī Kharca Aḍḍā to disburse funds to the Pūrṇeśvarapākaśālā on the occasion of Baḍādasaĩ (VS 1960)

K_0664_0017: A purjī from C-in-C 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 asking for information on feeding the poor on the occasion of Baḍādasaĩ (VS 1964)

K_0351_0072: A purjī to the Guṭhī Bandobasta Aḍḍā ordering that meat cease to be fed to the poor during Baḍādasaĩ (VS 1964)

K_0128_0057: A note from the Mulukī Aḍḍā to the Guṭhī Bandobasta Aḍḍā re the serving of meat during Baḍādasaĩ (VS 1967)

K_0488_0012: A copy of a purjī from Bhīma Śamśera to the Guṭhī Kharca Aḍḍā re 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 C-in-C 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 C-in-C 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 C-in-C 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 C-in-C General Bhīma Śamśera instructing the Guṭhī Kharca Aḍḍā to disburse funds to the Pūrṇeśvarapākaśālā on the occasion of Baḍādasaĩ (VS 1970)