The five-day festival of lights, known as Tihar is the second largest Nepalese festival after Bada Dashain, and it is normally assigned a legal holiday of three days. The festival is novel and shows reverence not only to the gods, but also to animals like crows, cows, and dogs that have long-lived alongside humans.
The five-day festival honors Yama, the God of Death, meanwhile the worship of Laxmi, the Goddess of Wealth dominates the festivities.
The various communities in Nepal celebrate Tihar in various ways. The festival is popularly referred to as Swati among the Newars and as Deepawali in the Terai region of Nepal.
On this auspicious festival of light, may the glow of joy, prosperity, and happiness – Illuminate your days in the year ahead.
Happy Tihar !
-Global News Break
Khas-Arya Nepalis and Nepalis within the Plains of Terai make patterns on the floors of living rooms or patios using materials such as colored rice, dry flour, colored sand, or flower petals, called Rangoli, as a sacred area of welcome for gods and goddesses, particularly Lakshmi.
Bombers often come out during the festival, although the Nepalese government has banned the use of firecrackers in recent years citing a rise in injury cases. Children also go from house to house, singing songs and posing for gifts inside the guy.
Day 1 : Kaag Tihar
The first day of Tihar is called Kaag (raven) Tihar.
Crows and ravens, believed to be the messengers of the death god Yama, are worshiped with offerings of grains, seeds, and sweets that are placed on rooftops or in the streets. By feeding the crows, the devotees hope to appease them and avoid death and pain for the next year.
Day 2 : Kukur Tihar
The second day is known as Kukur (dog) Tihar, also called Khicha Puja by the Newars.
Nowadays, all dogs, be they pets or strays, are offered treats and are worshiped by placing a tika on their forehead and garlands of marigolds around their necks.
Today marks the special relationship between humans and dogs, where dogs are grateful and celebrated for their loyalty, service, and companionship.
Day 3 : Gai Tihar and Lakshmi puju
Diyo light 
Laxmi puja 
Gai tihar
The morning of the third day is called Gai (cow) Tihar. The cow is an especially important animal in Hinduism and is considered sacred. The cow is the ‘Vahan’ of the goddess of wealth Lakshmi and therefore is also related to prosperity.
Hindus revere the cow as a very docile animal that provides tons of necessities. The cow produces milk, cheese, ghee, urine, and manure. While the first three are often eaten, urine is believed to have beneficial effects, and thus manure is burned for fuel or used as fertilizer.
The third day is also considered the most important day of the Tihar festival. Lakshmi, the patron goddess of the festival, is welcomed into the houses that are cleaned, and hence the doors and windows decorated with garlands made from marigolds. Diyas are placed throughout the house, especially on doors and window sills, while electric lights are placed over houses in the belief that the goddess will not visit dark houses. prosperity and health.
At night, the young women roam the neighborhood, singing and dancing during a tradition called bhailo.
Day 4 : Govardhan Puja and Maha Puja
On the fourth day, we worship the ox as it is a very useful animal in different agricultural jobs in Nepal, which is part of an agricultural society.
Also do Govardhan puja with replicas of Govardhan Mountain made from cow dung.
People prepare a mixture of cow dung and ocher in paste form and apply it in the backyard of their houses and on the flats today.
Similarly, the Newar community celebrates Mha Puja on the fourth day of Tihar. Maha Puja refers to self-worship, making an offering to the body.
Day 5 : Bhai Tika
The fifth and Judgment Day of Tihar is called Bhai Tika or Kija Puja in Nepal Bhasa. On this last day, which is widely known with much fanfare across the country, the brothers and sisters mark their special bond by worshiping each other.
On the fifth day of Tihar, the sisters create a protective barrier of water and blessed oil around their brothers, surrounding them several times. A special garland made from the Makhamali flower (Gomphrena globosa) is placed around the brother’s neck, as this flower is known for its long life. The tika placed on the brother’s forehead is also unique, as it consists of seven different colors. Also, the brother places the tika on the sister’s forehead.
The ceremony is performed regardless of whether the brother is older or younger than the sister and first cousins or cousins are also eligible for the ceremony. At the top, the brother touches the feet of his sisters with his forehead, which means love, respect, and devotion. The brothers receive a variety of cooked foods such as Sel roti, fruits, packaged foods, and Dhaka topi (Nepal-made cap) while the sisters receive cash or other gifts such as clothing.
In Tihar’s Bhaitika, the custom of wearing a Dhaka topi (hat) on the head of a brother has a special meaning. Like a hat, a Dhaka hat is given as a gift with a symbolic message that the head of the brother should be high. On the other hand, there is an opinion that the head of a relative should not be left empty in Bhaitika. This is the reason why hats are worn.
Source: Nepal tourism board
Freelance Writer
