Tika and the Dashain

  The Importance of Tika and the Dashain

Among the numerous religious festivals, the Dashain is considered to be the greatest of all by the Hindu. It is a national festival in Nepal and India where the population is predominantly Hindu. It is also the longest festival of all. As the Janeupurnima is the main festival for the priestly caste, so is the Dashain for the warrior caste. It being the festival of the rulers, its long duration is understood. This festival comes mostly in the month of October every year but the date varies.

The festival is celebrated for at least ten days starting with Ghatasthapana when people sow seeds in a vessel or Ghata for seedlings to be used on the 10th day. Schools, colleges and government offices close and people come to their homes from far and near to celebrate this festival. Every day of the festival has its important rituals to perform. 

The 10th day is called Tika in Nepal and it is the most important day. Even those people, who find it difficult to arrive home earlier, try to come and be at home on this day. The sole aim of this day is to receive Tika, Jamara and blessings from the elder members of the family. Some go to temples to receive Tika from the temple priest in case there is no one from whom to receive at home. In Kathmandu, people go to Pashupatinath temple and in those times when kings ruled Nepal, many people went to the palace to have Tika from the king. 

What is Tika and why do people have it from their elders? 

Tika is also known as Tilak. It is applied on the forehead. The science behind the application of Tika or Tilak is connected with the renowned third eye or the eye of Shiva. 

Is there such an eye apart from the two physical eyes we all have? 

The answer is positive and this so-called third eye is also a physical eye. In biology, it is known as the pineal gland in our brain. The pineal gland is shaped like an eye and it is located a little below the surface of the forehead. It is said to be equidistant from the two eyes. It is not blind but inactive because of remaining unused for a long time. It can be activated through effort. It is said that the third eye is hungry for consciousness and if you feed it with consciousness, it will become active. Once it becomes active, one realizes for the first time that one is not blind. With the activation of the third eye, many uncanny psychic powers are activated and one no longer remains weak and helpless. That is the spiritual aspect of Tika during the Dashain.

Tika is applied on this day by someone who knows where the pineal gland of a person is located. The location is not same for everyone. This is the day when younger people are shown the spot where they have to apply tika starting from that day. As one applies tika, one's consciousness moves to the pineal gland and the latter starts to become active when it receives sufficient attention. If it becomes active within one year, it is ok but if it doesn't, the person has to go to the elder to spot the location because, the location of the pineal gland shifts to a bit lower position. In the ancient times, the activation of the pineal gland was thought to be so important that a festival was planned and it became a tradition which has come down to us. Thus Tika is not for only Hindus but also for all human beings for spiritual progress. So, do you see the science and beauty behind Tika and the Dashain?

Never apply Tika to the wrong place and it is also harmful for women to apply fancy tikas from the market for cosmetic purposes. It may help you become stupid. Learn it from a person who has the skill to find out your third eye and apply tilak there every day. Its cooling effect will draw your attention often to your pineal gland and eventually, it will become active either sooner or later according to the amount of impressions or samskaras you have accumulated in your subconscious.