My sister, especially, loves it. Personally, I thought it tasted good, but the texture was a bit odd. Solid and stretchy on the outside, but similar to tomato paste on the inside. Vegetarians usually eat coconuts instead.
On the ninth day, no tools should be used or vehicles driven. All of the vehicles from motorcycles to airplanes need to be blessed with a sacrifice and worship ritual. Again, this sacrifice can be with a small animal, but for vehicles, it’s usually a coconut. My father has a motorcycle, and he started by decorating it with red and yellow paste, fruit and flowers. Then, he crouched down and took a coconut in his hands. Simultaneously raising it above his head and reciting a prayer, he smashed it into the ground. He passed around pieces for people to eat, and placed the rest on the bike. When he finished, he picked up a small, hand instrument vaguely similar to a maraca.My mother joined him, and together they circled around the bike several times while my father shook the instrument and chanted more prayers.
By far the most beloved tradition is giving and receiving Tika on the tenth day, Dashain. Each person gives Tika to all of the people in their family younger than them and receives Tika from all those older than them. In our family, all of the older generation gave Tika to everyone Tika, including the extended family. However, the youngest generation only gave Tika to those younger than them in their immediate family. Tika consists of red vermillion powder, rice and milk curd mixed together. To give Tika, someone takes a bit of the mixture in their hands and fixes it on someone else’s forehead.
