Dashain, Nepal’s largest and most widely celebrated festival, has traditionally been marked by the homecoming of children to their parents’ residences. However, recent years have seen a shift in this longstanding custom, with elderly parents increasingly traveling to be with their children instead.

This evolving pattern was highlighted in a personal reflection by an individual who recently traveled from Jhapa to Kathmandu during the Dashain season. The journey was initially unplanned but coincided with the festival, offering insight into new family dynamics during the holiday. Notably, the traveler observed that over 70% of passengers on the flight to Kathmandu were elderly parents visiting their children there, a reversal of the typical practice decades ago.

Historically, Dashain was synonymous with children returning home, sometimes from distant cities or even abroad, to receive Tika and blessings from their elders. This tradition was celebrated in cultural expressions, including the popular song by veteran lyricist Ratna Samsher Shah, which emphasizes the significance of returning home during Dashain regardless of distance.

The reflective narrative also recalls the logistical challenges faced in the past when families made extensive journeys to reunite. The route from Kathmandu to smaller hometowns involved crowded buses, multiple transfers, and occasionally costly private taxis, especially when traveling with young children. Despite these hardships, the emotional reward of reuniting with extended family outweighed the difficulties.

In contrast, the shift in recent times reflects broader societal changes, including the dispersal of younger generations to urban centers or abroad for education and employment. With many elderly parents now traveling substantial distances, even internationally, to be with their children during Dashain, the festival’s mode of celebration has adapted accordingly. For example, airfares during this period demonstrate notable price fluctuations; flights from Kathmandu become more expensive as residents depart the valley, while tickets into Kathmandu from other regions often become more affordable.

While the death of older generations has also affected how families observe Dashain, the fundamental essence of the festival endures. Regardless of who travels, the core values—spending quality time with family, sharing festive meals, and performing the auspicious rituals of Tika—remain central to Dashain celebrations. The changing travel patterns signify adaptation to modern realities rather than a departure from the festival's traditional spirit.

These observations underscore the evolving but resilient nature of family relationships during Nepal’s most important cultural holiday.