Also known as Deepawali or Yamapanchak, Tihar is celebrated for a total of five days as followed by the Hindu mythology. This festival calls for the worship of animals and birds such as crows, cows and dogs considered as avatars of the goddess. Diyos and candles as well as electrical lights are lit up in every households and wonderful Rangolis are created by the children and their family to welcome Goddess Laxmi which we believe, brings wealth and prosperity to our homes.
We basically celebrate Tihar for five days,
- KAAG TIHAR
Kaag Tihar is marked as the first day of Tihar where the crow and ravens are worshipped and fed dishes by placing food and water on leaves at the roof of homes. This is done with the belief that the offerings help turn aside grief and death in their homes.
- KUKUR TIHAR
The dogs as well as the puppies are worshipped and offered garlands, tika and delicacies acknowledging and cherishing the bond and relation between dogs and humans. Here not only the pets but also the stray dogs are equally worshipped.
- GAI TIHAR
On this day, devotees worship the cow which signifies prosperity and wealth in Hinduism. Worshippers feed and put tika and garlands as well as tie threads on the tails of the cows in the hope of having ease on their last days of their lives.
- LAXMI PUJA
During Laxmi puja, cleaning activities of the entire home, shops and offices are done and as the sun sets, the Goddess of wealth is worshiped and thanked for the blessings granted onto the families by offering Diyo (Oil Lamps) in all the doorsteps and windows to welcome prosperity and well-being into each one of the households.
- GOVARDHAN PUJA
On the day of Govardhan puja, devotees prepare and offer a large variety of vegetarian food to god Shri Krishna as a mark of gratitude. As per the Hindu mythology, the followers of Lord Vishnu worship cow dung (Gover) whereas devotees also worship the Ox. The oxen are offered tika, garland and fed delicacies on this day. Families cook Sel roti and various varieties of sweets both for the worship as well as to feed sweets in the family.
- MHA PUJA
The newar community celebrate Mha puja (Self Worship).Here, the newars worship themselves in the belief that it invokes prosperity and longevity for themselves.It is an annual ritual that also marks the starting of new year called the Nepal Sambat.
- BHAI TIKA/KIJA PUJA
The final day of Tihar is known as Bhai tika or Kija puja in Newari bhasa. Sisters apply rainbow colored tika to the forehead of their brothers and place mustard oil on their head and wish them long life, good health and positive energy. Sisters offer tika, makhamali mala (Gomphrena globose garland) and bhai masala, which is a popular tradition of giving an assortment of dried fruits to the brothers by their sister.
-Anusuya Sijapati
@anusuyayusuna