Nepal UK
Nepalese families in the UK have been advised to begin Vijaya Dashami tika at 8.45am, ahead of the end of the Dashami tithi at 9.41am, according to guidance shared by Pandit Narayan Gaunle on his verified Facebook page.
In a post written in Nepali, Pandit Gaunle said the Dashami tithi in Britain lasts only until 9.41am on the morning of tika, so the auspicious time (sait) for the first tika has been set earlier, at 8.45am. He said it is considered best to begin the first tika while Dashami is still in effect, and urged families to rise early and not delay.
He also offered guidance on the direction in which tika should be received. Because the moon is in Aquarius (Kumbha rashi), he said, the moon is regarded as lying in the west. The person receiving tika and blessings should therefore face the moon, meaning they should sit facing west. He added that facing the moon is believed to create a favourable alignment for prosperity, and said those hoping for a generous dakshina, the customary gift from elders, should take particular care to face west. He presented this as traditional belief rather than a measurable claim.
Pandit Gaunle also reminded families that, by tradition, tika begun on Dashami can be applied until the full moon, which means those who start in the morning can continue to receive and give tika throughout the day, and in the days that follow. In a separate line, he noted that many families abroad cannot be in Nepal for the festival and asked where readers were celebrating. He closed with wishes for health, happiness, peace and prosperity to Nepalese everywhere.
The UK timing differs from the Nepal-based schedule. The official auspicious time in Nepal for Vijaya Dashami tika is 10.26am Nepal time, and published conversions of that time for London, which remains on British Summer Time until 25 October, give an earlier hour than the one Pandit Gaunle has recommended. Families have traditionally followed their own local priest or temple, and community organisations often settle on a time that suits UK working hours and gatherings. Anyone unsure which time to follow is advised to check with their family priest, local temple or community association. Pandit Gaunle's guidance is a religious recommendation from an individual priest, not an official calendar.
For many households this year the festival carries added weight. The Rasuwa flood of 26 August has left more than 1,400 people dead and thousands missing, and UK Nepalese organisations have raised funds and appealed to the British government for long-term support. Families across Britain are marking Dashain with a mix of celebration and remembrance.
