Tihar: A Grand Festival In Nepal

Tihar is the second biggest festival in Nepal after Dashain. Tihar a grand festival is celebrated every year in Nepal. Tihar is highly recognized as the Deepawali. It is known as a grand festival of colorful flowers, lights, and sister-brotherhoods. Tihar is similar to the Indian festival of Diwali ( the festival of lights). However, there is some significant difference. Tihar is recognized to be of tremendous significance as it indicates the contribution to not only human beings and the Gods, but also to the animals like crows, dogs cows, and ox. It is believed that the relationship between humans and such animals was established since the beginning of human civilization. The main Goddess that is worshiped on this occasion is Goddess Laxmi. Goddess Laxmi is acknowledged as the Goddess of wealth and destiny. Nepalese people celebrate this festival in different ways.  Nepali communities make patterns on the floors, living rooms as well as courtyards using different materials such as colored rice, dry flour, or flower petals, as a sacred welcoming for the Gods,  particularly Goddess Laxmi. Tihar comes instantly after Dashain. It falls in the month of Kartik (October to November)and continues for five days. This has its special methods of celebration. Each of the five days of the festival is for celebrating and worshipping the above-mentioned animals and God.  According to the Vikram Samvat Nepali calendar, the Tihar festival starts with Kaag (crow) Tihar on Trayodashi Tithi of Kartika Kriṣhṇa Pakṣha and ends with Bhai Tika on Dwitiya Tithi of Kartika Sukla Pakṣha every year.

Day 1: Kaag Tihar

The first day of Tihar is regarded as Kaag Tihar (worshipping of crows). In historic mythology, Crows are acknowledged to be the “messenger of demise (death God Yama)”. Crows believed to be the messengers of the demise of God Yama are worshipped with offerings of grains, meals, seeds, and sweets placed on the roofs, courtyards, or on the streets. The cawing of crows is related to unhappiness and grief in Hinduism as these birds are believed to take messages from Yama. Feeding the crows, devotees hope to appease them and prevent demise and grief for the coming year. People worship the crows to bring good fortune to themselves. They feed crows and worship them to prevent any bad news to be informed which would carry a terrible omen. Along with Kaag Tihar, Dhanteras (also acknowledged as Dhan Trayodashi and Dhanwantari Jayanti) are also observed on this day. Dhanvantari, the Hindu God of the medicinal drug is revered on this day. There is a way of life of people shopping for jewelry, utensils, and home equipment on this day. It is an auspicious moment to purchase gold or silver on this day.

Day 2: Kukur Tihar

The second day of Tihar is acknowledged as Kukur Tihar (worship of dogs). It is to worship a man’s pleasant friend, dogs. On this day dogs are treated with sweet foods and hung garlands of marigolds on their neck with Tikas on their forehead. We can observe many dogs roaming around the village, street, and city with a Tika and garlands on this day. It is believed that dogs can see incoming risks and demise and is the “gatekeeper of the house”. It would be better if each stray dog we see on the streets is treated this way forever.

Day 3: Laxmi Pooja

The third day of Tihar is Laxmi Puja (worship of the cows and Goddess Laxmi). This is a different day which has its own separate set of celebrations. In the morning, the cows are worshipped and hung garlands on their necks.  In Hinduism, cows indicate wealth and prosperity. On this day the cows are worshipped and fed the juiciest of grass as a symbol of gratitude. In the afternoon, the whole residence is cleaned and groomed. People might also put fancy lights in their rooms and outside their houses. Houses are cleaned and the doorways and windows are decorated with garlands made of Sayapatri (marigolds) and Makhamali flowers. People in addition paint small patterns of footprints to and from their entrances to rooms to welcome Goddesses Laxmi in. At night, we can see lovely and dazzling lights from Diyo(oil lamp) and fancy lights.

The Laxmi Pooja is carried out to entice the attention of Goddess Laxmi. The nighttime of the Laxmi Pooja is a spectacle to look at. Starting this day, people come collectively and tour home to home to play Deusi and Bhailo (traditional songs with dance) and earn cash and kinds as well. People who witness these conventional songs with dance (Deusi and Bhailo) give some amount of cash as an offering. Offerings may also consist of delicious Sel Rotis, fruits,  rice, tea, and drinks. From the night-time of Laxmi Pooja (Gai Pooja), the nights get ahead more lively.

Day 4: Goru Tihar

The fourth day is acknowledged as Govardhan Pooja (Goru Tihar) where the ox is worshipped. The ox is viewed as a similarity to the cow in Hinduism, as the ox provides manual labor, especially significant for an agricultural state like Nepal. An ox is also an essential lifeline for a farmer, so on this day, farmers worship ox.  On this day the ox is treated with the juiciest of grass and grains and hung garlands of Marigold on their neck with Tika on their forehead.  People play Deusi and Bhailo throughout the night roaming from home to home.

Day 5: Bhai Tika

The fifth and last day of Tihar is referred to as Bhai Tika. On this final day, which is celebrated with fun throughout the country, brothers and sisters mark their special bond by adorating each other. According to Hindu mythology, Yamraj, the God of demise, visited his sister, Goddess Yamuna, on this day she applied the auspicious Tika on his forehead, garlanded him, and fed him one-of-a-kind dishes. Together, they ate sweets, talked, and loved themselves to the bottom of their hearts. Upon parting, Yamraj gave the Yamuna a special present as a token of his affection and respect and, in return, Yamuna gave him a beautiful present that she had made with her own hands. That day Yamraj introduced that everyone who receives Tika from his sister will never die on that day. And so it gave Birth to Bhai Tika.

On this occasion, sisters apply multi-colored Tikas known as Saptarangi Tika on their brother’s forehead. It is to make sure the long and affluent life of their brothers. In the end, the brother touches the feet of their sisters with their forehead, signifying love, respect, and affection. The brothers receive different types of cooked foods such as Sel Roti, fruits, packaged food, and drinks items whereas the sisters receive cash or different items of gifts such as clothing or both. The ceremony is carried out regardless of whether or not the brother is older or younger than the sister. It is a grand festival that is celebrated by all people in Nepal.

Conclusion 

Tihar is the second biggest festival that is celebrated every year in Nepal. It is known as a grand festival of colorful flowers, lights, and sister-brotherhoods. Tihar is recognized to be of tremendous significance as it indicates the contribution to not only human beings and the Gods, but also to the animals like crows, dogs, cows, and ox. The main Goddess that is worshiped on this occasion is Goddess Laxmi which encompasses wealth and destiny. This has its special methods of celebration. The Tihar festival starts with Kaag (crow) Tihar on Trayodashi Tithi of Kartika Kriṣhṇa Pakṣha and ends with Bhai Tika on Dwitiya Tithi of Kartika Sukla Pakṣha every year.

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