Nepal
Written by Shrijana Mahat
Tihar, also known as Deepawali or Yamapanchak, is a significant and widely celebrated festival in Nepal. It extends over five days and is dedicated to honoring various animals and divine entities. The festival typically falls in October or November, following the Hindu lunar calendar.
Each day of Tihar has its unique significance. The first day, called Kaag Tihar, is dedicated to crows, which are considered messengers of Yama, the god of death. People offer food to crows and place offerings on rooftops.
Gai Tihar or Cow Puja is the third day, where cows are venerated for their sacred status in Hinduism. They are adorned with colorful paints and garlands, and their horns are often gilded.
On the fourth day, people celebrate Maha Laxmi Puja, the goddess of wealth, by lighting oil lamps and making intricate rangoli designs. Homes are illuminated with oil lamps, candles, and decorative lights.
The final day, Bhai Tika, is dedicated to strengthening the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters apply tika (a colored powder) on their brothers’ foreheads and offer them garlands and sweets, while brothers give gifts in return.
Throughout Tihar, the use of oil lamps, colorful decorations, and the creation of intricate rangoli designs adorn homes and streets. It is a time of family gatherings, feasts, and cultural performances, promoting unity and reinforcing the significance of various animals and deities in Nepalese culture. Tihar showcases the rich tapestry of traditions and beliefs that make Nepal a culturally diverse and vibrant nation.
We also celebrate this festival by lightening the house, playing firecrackers and dancing in Nepali songs and eating delicious food items.
We celebrate Tihar festivals with decorating our house with colors, flowers and lights.
Our cultural food items especially for tiger festivals.
All the family members they get together and make these items so that they can eat during the main day of festivals.
This is the festivals of joy, happiness and togetherness of Nepalese family.
Tihar Fri, Nov 1, 2024
Written by Aarati Sharma Bhatta
Day 1- Worship Crow
Day 2- Worship Dog
Day 3 Worship Cow
Day 3 Worship Godess
Day 4- Worship Govardan Mountain
Day 5- Worship brothers
Tihar marks the second biggest festival in Nepal after Dashain. As per the English Calendar, it falls in the month of October/November. This festival is also called Festival of Lights and Colors. Tihar is celebrated for a total of five days.
Crow is considered the messenger of God Yamraj who is the God of death in the Hindu religion hence crow is worshipped on day 1 of this festival. Day 2 is celebrated by worshipping dogs as dogs are considered the most faithful friends and companions to humans. The dog is also considered the messenger of God Yamaraj as a crow. Day 3 is marked by worshipping the holy cow in the morning and later in the evening people worship the goddess Laxmi who is the goddess of wealth and prosperity. People decorate their houses, make colorful rangoli, and put on lights all around. This day is also called Deepawali. Likewise, on day 4 mount Govardhan is worshipped. This mountain is considered holy by the Hindu people in Nepal. Newar community in Nepal also marks this day as “Maah Puja” which means worshipping your inner self. Similarly, day 5 is “Bhai Tika”, on this day sisters worship their brothers and offer them tasty foods and brothers in turn offer their sisters gifts. This day is marked and remembered as day for sharing love and bonding between brothers and sisters.
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