Nepalese soldiers from "B" Company, 2 Royal Gurkha Rifles regiment of the British army, sprinkle holy water before sacrificing a goat during the festival of Dashain in Lashkar Gah district, Helmand province, Sept. 24. Dashain, a 15-day Nepalese Hindu national and religious-festival, and is the country’s longest and most auspicious festival. Dashain commemorates the victories of the goddess Durga over the demon Mahisasur, goddess Durga is worshiped throughout Nepal as the divine mother goddess.