By Aashish Mishra
Kathmandu, Sept. 26: Over the past few weeks, Nepal’s COVID-19 positivity rate has declined tremendously from a frighteningly high 20 per cent to just over 10 per cent. The authorities have also lifted most restrictions on travels and gatherings. That is why Dashain looks to be merrier this year, at least for 20-year-old Kopila Luitel.

“Last year, the number of cases was still high and many districts were under lockdowns. So, I could neither go home nor celebrate the festival properly here in Kathmandu,” Luitel, who is a permanent resident of Amarpath, Butwal, told The Rising Nepal. “This year though, the situation is a lot better which means I can celebrate Dashain to the fullest with my family.”

Priest Madhav Chalise also feels that this year’s Dashain will be better than last year’s because the temples are open. “Many of our country’s biggest religious shrines were closed last year which forced both the people and the state to limit Dashain worship. But this time, they are open so we can observe Navaratri properly,” the 59-year-old said.
Dashain is also marked by travel in Nepal. Millions of people leave cities to return to their hometowns and villages for the 15-day festival. In 2019, a year before the pandemic, over three million people left Kathmandu for the occasion. But in 2020, that number fell to around 600,000.

“People refrained from travelling last year because of the quarantine rules enforced by various local levels,” said Maila Tamang, who operates two buses that ply the Prithvi Highway. “But things look better this year. Passenger numbers have already begun increasing and, fingers crossed, we might see a recovery.”
Just how much of a recovery though may only be seen after advance ticket bookings open from Monday.

Similarly, airlines have also seen an increase in passenger volume. According to Yog Raj Kandel, spokesperson for the Airline Operators Association of Nepal, nearly 60 per cent of the seats on main routes have been booked and inquiries, bookings and commuter numbers are all up from last year.

“The year 2020 was bleak. People were not interested in travelling for the festivals because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Kandel said. “This year has been astronomically better.”
The market has also reacquired a vibrancy that was missing last year. “Crowds have returned to shops and business has started to pick up. It feels like Dashain’s charm has returned,” said Pavitra Bajracharya, immediate past president of Nepal Retailers’ Association.

“There are no restrictions like last year and because of the drop in the number of daily infections, people are more comfortable with going out and enjoying themselves. That is why, in terms of market activity, it feels like this Dashain will be far better than last year. We might even return to the pre-pandemic levels,” Bajracharya shared.

However, the return of Dashain fervour is not necessarily a good thing, say health experts who worry that carefree celebrations and family gatherings may cause a spike in COVID-19 cases.
“Let’s not forget about precautions while marking Dashain,” urged Dr. Sameer Mani Dixit, general secretary of the Nepal Public Health Foundation and director of research at the Centre for Molecular Dynamics Nepal. “We must consider the at-risk and unvaccinated people in our families.”

“All the things we have been saying about wearing masks, washing hands, avoiding crowds need to be observed. And most importantly, those who can get vaccinated, should. Festivals are no time to let our guard down.”
This year, the first day of Dashain, Ghatasthapana, falls on October 7.