Popularly known as Deepawali and Yamapanchak, Tihar usually falls in the month of October or November every year. This year, Tihar falls on November 14, 2020. However, the festival celebration starts on November 13, 2020, and ends on November 16, 2020.

During this festival, Nepalis worship the God of Death Yama and animals such as crows, cows, and dogs that have long-lived alongside humans. People also worship the Goddess of Wealth Lakshmi.

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According to the Nepali tradition, the festival begins with Kaag Tihar on Trayodashi of Kartik Krishna Paksha and ends with Bhai Tika on Dwitiya of Kartik Sukla Paksha.

Day 1: Kaag Tihar (The Day of Crows)

The first day of the Tihar Festival is Kaag Tihar. On this day, people worship crows, which are considered as messengers to Lord Yama. Nepalis believe that by worshipping crows, there will be no news of sorrow to the family.

On this day, people offer different food items to crows early in the morning and pray for luck.

Day 2: Kukur Tihar (The Day of Dogs)

The second day of the festival is known as Kukur (dog) Tihar. On this day, Nepali Hindus worship dogs, which are considered as the guard of Lord Yama. They believe that dogs lead souls to heaven. People worship dogs by offering tika, garland, and delicious foods.

Day 3: Gai Tihar (The Day of Cows)

The third day, Gai Tihar, marks the worshiping of holy cows, which are considered a form of Goddess Lakshmi. On this day, people offer special prayers to cows, with tika, garland, and special food items.

Day 4: Goru Puja (The Day of Oxen)

The fourth day of the Tihar festival is known as Goru Puja. On this day, Nepali Hindus worship oxen and perform three different pujas, including Govardhan Puja and Mha Puja.

Day 5: Bhai Tika (The Day of Brothers)

This is the fifth and the last day of the Tihar festival. On this day, sisters put ‘Paanch Rangi Tika’ on their brothers’ foreheads, wishing them a long life and prosperity. The Tika is a combination of five different colors, including yellow, green, red, blue, and white.

Sisters also offer dry fruits such as hazelnut, walnuts, sweets, and fruits to their brothers, wishing them good luck. While brothers give them gifts in return, assuring them protection for the rest of their life.

During this five-day-long festival, people illuminate their homes with bright lights, diyas, and candles and keep their doors open to welcome prosperity. People also light fireworks, filling the sky with colorful lights.

However, the 2020 Tihar Festivals celebrations seem to be quite different from the previous years due to the risk of the coronavirus pandemic. The Nepali Government has instructed people to avoid public gatherings and fireworks to prevent the risk of COVID-19 infection.

NepaliSansar Wishes All Nepalis A Very Happy and Prosperous Tihar!

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The Nepal Calendar Determination Committee Chairperson Prof. Dr Ram Chandra said that ‘11:55 AM’ is the auspicious time for putting and receiving ‘tika’.

However, it can be observed until sunset on this day, he added.

Bhai Tika Tradition
On the occasion of Bhai tika, sisters make their brothers sit in a special place bordered with mustard oil. They then adorn their brothers’ foreheads with colorful tika and put them garlands made of Dubo (a grass variant) and Makhlami flower (globe amarnath).

Following this ritual, sisters offer the traditional Bhai tika treats including sweets, walnuts, spices and sel roti, a traditional Nepali food made from rice flour.

Brothers also put tika their sisters and wish them happiness & good luck. After this, they give them presents.

Folklore Behind Bhai Tika
According to the legend, a sister wins a boon from ‘Yama’, the God of Death, wherein her brother would not die until the mustard oil dried up and the garland of Dubo and Makhlami shriveled.

Sisters put these garlands on brothers to ensure their long life just like the long life span of the elements in the garland. They are also signify the unending bond of a brother and sister.

Nepal observed Goru, Govardhan and Mha pooja on November 08, 2018 which is highly significant to Newari community.

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