Each autumn, Nepali households prepare for Dashain, the country’s most widely celebrated festival. At its heart lies jamara—fresh barley grass carefully nurtured indoors—which becomes central to the rituals and blessings. Yet Dashain is more than a cultural or religious observance; its traditions carry lessons that can inspire a more thoughtful and sustainable approach to travel.
Jamara: Nurturing Local Roots
Jamara symbolises growth, prosperity and renewal. It is not purchased in bulk from distant markets but grown tenderly at home, embodying the value of cultivation from the grassroots.
In the same way, sustainable travel thrives when we support local economies. Opting for a family-run guesthouse over a global hotel chain, enjoying meals in neighbourhood eateries, or purchasing hand-crafted goods directly from artisans ensures that prosperity remains within the community. Like jamara, the most rewarding journeys are those that grow from the local soil.
Family and Community: Connections Over Checklists
Dashain is a time when families reunite, share food and reinforce bonds. Its essence lies not in grandeur but in the warmth of connection.
Travelling responsibly calls for the same spirit. Rather than treating destinations as a series of sights to be ticked off, meaningful travel values genuine interactions with local people. It might mean taking part in a village festival, learning to cook regional dishes, or simply sharing stories over a cup of tea. Just as Dashain deepens familial ties, sustainable travel flourishes when relationships matter as much as landscapes.
Blessings and Gratitude: Travelling with Humility
During Dashain, elders place tika—a red mixture of rice, yoghurt and vermillion—along with jamara on the foreheads of younger relatives, bestowing blessings of protection and prosperity. This ritual reflects humility and gratitude: giving respect and receiving blessings in equal measure.
Travel, too, invites us to adopt this posture. Entering another country is akin to stepping into someone else’s home. Approaching it with humility, gratitude and openness allows us to honour cultural traditions, respect the environment and appreciate the hospitality we are offered. In this way, journeys become less about consumption and more about exchange.
Carrying Dashain’s Spirit Into Our Journeys
The spirit of Dashain—growth, connection and gratitude—offers a guiding metaphor for sustainable travel. Like jamara, our journeys should nourish the places we visit from the roots upwards. Like family gatherings, they should be grounded in authentic relationships. And like the blessings of tika, they should be embraced with humility.
PC: Wikimedia Commons - Wikimedia.org
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