http://www.scatvsomerville.org... https://www.youtube.com/watch?... Somerville MA Oct. 7, 2014 – Over 100 Nepali residents of Somerville, Boston and other nearby cities and towns gathered on September 29 in Watertown to celebrate Dashain, the most important festival in Nepal. The 15-day Hindu celebration commemorates the victory of the gods over demons, led by Durga, the multi-armed goddess often depicted riding a tiger. She led the victory over Mahisasur, who appeared as a water buffalo, and his minions after nine days of fighting. In Nepal, offices are closed, people fly kites, and animals are sacrificed. But at the Sons of Italy function hall, Nepali men and women, often accompanied by their children, had to work all day before donning their finest clothing in order to attend the annual event. “We are here to celebrate our big festival Dussehra,” Nirmala Sherchan, a Somerville resident and the manager of the Dunkin’ Donuts on Broadway in East Somerville, told Somerville Neighborhood News (SNN). During the 15 days: “We get blessings from elders… They give us blessings and we go to their houses, and we eat good food. Tonight will be lots of fun like songs, dance, food,” she said. The Greater Boston Nepali Community (GBNC) hosted the evening celebration. Before performances by two singers, attendees listened to speeches by GBNC officials and also witnessed the welcoming of recently elected GNBC officers. Each was honored with a sash and blessed with a red Tika, a mark placed on the forehead. Attendees also enjoyed traditional dishes from a forty-foot banquet table. “Why should we wait for once a year to celebrate Dashain?” Puskar Neupane, who serves as accountant for the GBNC, asked the crowd during his speech. “If you can maintain your happiness, you should celebrate Dashain each day. I celebrate Dashain every day!”   This story is part of SNN’s “Community Notes” series. If your community has news or an event that you want to share with the other communities in our diverse city, please email news@scatvsomerville.org http://www.scatvsomerville.org...