On the sunny and breezy afternoon of September 25, the playground of Tergar School Kathmandu came alive with excitement for the Dashain Carnival – a joyful celebration honoring the spirit of Nepal’s biggest festival, Dashain. The weather was perfectly in tune with the mood, windy enough to send kites soaring high and sunny enough to keep spirits shining bright.
Dashain is a festival of blessings, togetherness, and new beginnings that fills homes and hearts across Nepal with happiness, and Tergar School’s Dashain Carnival captured it all! Each student was given Nepali rupees 200 to spend on games and treats allowing them to choose their own adventures. They explored a lively array of activities set up by teachers and caregivers, including Paisa Double, where participants aimed balls through a series of shrinking circular holes to double their money, and the Airplane Game, where students crafted and launched paper planes into a target circle. There were also ring toss, darts, and football games that kept everyone engaged and full of energy.
Creativity filled the air as students teamed up to make their own kites, carefully cutting plastic sheets, taping wooden sticks, and stringing them together with care, while others enjoyed flying colorful, ready-made ones. Soon, the sky was dotted with kites dancing in the afternoon wind, a perfect Dashain sight!
Then came the music! The atmosphere turned melodic as the beloved music teacher Ravi Maharjan led joyful sessions of flute, madal (a Nepalese hand-drum), and cajón (percussion box) playing. One by one, students gathered around him, their laughter and voices blending harmoniously with the rhythm of the music.
Adding to the excitement, the Grade 6 students opened their food stalls, offering tasty treats that everyone could buy with their carnival money. It was a wonderful blend of educational fun as they practiced teamwork and entrepreneurship. The aroma of momos, samosas, and donuts filled the playground as students lined up to enjoy the snacks and support their peers.
And just when it seemed the fun couldn’t get any better, it did! The crowd erupted in cheers as the tug-of-war began. First, students faced off in friendly matches, followed by teachers and caregivers joining in, pulling, laughing, and cheering until everyone fell to the ground in joyful exhaustion.
The celebration ended with each student receiving a backpack as a Dashain gift, a thoughtful gesture that sent everyone home smiling for the holidays.
The Dashain Carnival wrapped up with bright faces, warm hearts, and lasting memories filled with the festive energy of Dashain. As students made their way home for the holidays, the warmth of celebration lingered; reminding us that every festival is an invitation to connect, to care, and to rejoice together.
