Tihar festival in Nepal is one of the most awaited festivals of the season. It is a truly colourful and vibrant festival where Goddess Laxmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity is worshipped. This festival is celebrated for five days in honour of the crow, dog, and cow followed by Goddess Laxmi and Lord Yama, the god of death. The animals followed by deities are worshipped in different alternate days of Tihar.
The auspicious festival of Tihar is marked by the decoration of houses with flowers, lights, and rangolis (colour works), to please Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. The bright lightning, fireworks, celebration, and happiness! Tihar is a festival of lights that spreads peace, prosperity, happiness, and good health to the lives of people.
Tihar is a famous festival among Hindu people that comes after the auspicious festival of Dashain. Even this festival is celebrated with much joy and belief. It falls on the month of Kartik as per the Nepalese calendar (Lunar Calendar) which corresponds to the October/ November of a solar calendar. This year Tihar falls on Wed, Oct 30, 2024, to Sun, Nov 3, 2024.
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This festival lasts for five days, and each day is glorified with its auspicious value and unique rituals. More importantly, the festival is celebrated in tribute to Goddess Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity.
During Tihar, people clean their houses, decorate their homes, and lighten their houses to make it look attractive. It is believed that whoever decorates the house best or whoever lights their house diligently, Goddess Laxmi will be happy with them and enter into those houses. Therefore, people can be seen busy decorating their homes, lighting Diya (clay-made festive lanterns), and lighting candles during these days.
The five essential days of the Tihar Festival
- Kaag Tihar – the day of the crow, where crows are worshipped
- Kukur Tihar– the day of dogs, where dogs are worshipped
- Goddess Laxmi is prayed and worshipped
- Govardhan Puja – the day where oxen are worshipped
- Bhai Tika – the day where rituals are performed to put tika to a brother for their long life and longevity by sisters.
Kaag Tihar(Crow Worship)
The first day of Tihar is Kaag (Crow) Tihar. On this day, the crow is worshipped. The crow is considered to be the informant of Lord Yama. We can get a glimpse of people worshipping crows and offering food to them on the balcony or terrace of their houses. Hence, on this day, crows are fed with delicious food and worshipped so that they would only bring good news.
Kukur Tihar (Dog Worship)
On the second day of Tihar, dogs are worshipped. Dogs are considered to be a loyal friend of humankind. It is believed that dogs are those animals who can sense the danger of death coming. Hence, on this day, dogs are worshipped and delicious foods are offered to them. People put tikas on their foreheads and offer garlands along with delicious food. We can see dogs with garlands roaming all over the streets on that day.
Gai Puja/ Laxmi Puja (Cow Worship)
The third day is Laxmi Puja which is one of the important days of the festival. In the morning, people worship cows as a resemblance to Goddess Laxmi. In the evening, people clean their houses; and decorate houses with lights and garlands to welcome Goddess Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. It is believed that Goddess Laxmi visits Earth on this day and walks into the house decorated with dignity and effort. On this day, people clean their houses and apply red mud to make way with footprints to show the Goddess the path to their home.
From this day especially children play with fireworks and perform Deusi Bhailo. Deusi Bhailo is a form of musical act that is performed during Laxmi Puja of Tihar. People go from house to house and perform the act. The house owner offers money and other edible foods as an offering for their wonderful acts. In this way, people enjoy the evening of Laxmi Puja.
The homes are beautifully decorated with flowers, garlands, lights, candles, and Diyos. People cook delicious foods/ sweets and offer them to Goddess Laxmi. Doing all these things is believed to bring prosperity to people in their lives.
Govardhan Puja and Mah Puja and Goru Puja (Ox worshipping)
The fourth day of the festival is Govardhan puja where people worship the dung of cows or oxenas. Govardhan Parvat (mountain of ox dung) is made and revered as a form of god. On this day, oxen are worshipped. They are offered tika, garland, and delicious food.
In the Newar community, people perform Mah Puja which is a religious ritual dedicated to self. Mah means self and puja means a religious act therefore mah puja is a religious act solely dedicated to oneself.
Bhai Tika (Brothers Worship)
This fifth day strengthens the bond between every brother and sister. On this day, sisters worship lord Yama and perform various rituals for the long life and good health of their brother. Sisters put colourful tika – Saptarangi tika (seven colours tika) to their brothers, offer garland, and varieties of food as Sagun (good luck). The food provided consists of dry fruits, chocolates, fruits, sweets, Sel roti, etc. Besides, these religious rituals, people get together sing, dance and enjoy their time to its fullest.
These are the five essential days of Tihar that are celebrated with much joy by people. Apart from these rituals, people enjoy their holidays by eating delicious foods, playing cards, decorating houses, and enjoying fireworks. So, are you willing to celebrate this vibrant festival in Nepal, amongst the Nepalese people? If yes, then Nepal Intrepid Treks welcomes you to be a part of this Festival in Nepal.
An exciting myth behind the celebration of Tihar
There are many myths behind the festival of Tihar; however, the story of Yama and Yamuna is one of the interesting ones. Yama had been staying away from his sister and family for long.
The Yamuna, as a loving sister, wanted to meet his brother and know about his health and condition. Therefore, she sent a message through Crow to her brother. Then she went herself to meet her brother. Once she visited him, she came to know that he was very ill.
Yamaraj, the lord of death, had come to take Yama. Meanwhile, Yamuna encircled Yama by drawing a circle of oil with Dubo (grass) around him. Then she applied a colourful tika over his forehead and garlanded him with the Garland of the Makhmali flower. Then she challenged Yamaraj to take his brother only where the circle of oil dried, and the garland of Makhmali got dry.
Yamaraj agreed to her challenge but realized that oil never dries, and the flower of Makhamali never dries off. Hence, he blessed Yama with his life. Since then, all the sisters have performed the same ritual for their brothers for their long life and health.
FAQs About Tihar Festival in Nepal
What is the Tihar Festival in Nepal?
Tihar is a vibrant and colourful five-day festival celebrated in Nepal, honouring animals like crows, dogs, and cows, followed by worship of Goddess Laxmi (the goddess of wealth and prosperity) and Lord Yama (the god of death). The festival is marked by the decoration of houses with lights, flowers, and rangolis to invite wealth and prosperity into homes.
Why is the crow worshipped during Tihar?
The crow is worshipped on the first day of Tihar, known as Kaag Tihar. It is believed that the crow is the messenger of Lord Yama, the god of death. By offering food to crows, people believe they can ward off negative news and misfortune.
What is the significance of Dog Tihar?
On the second day, called Kukur Tihar, dogs are honoured and worshipped as they are considered to be the agents of Lord Yama. Dogs are garlanded, offered delicious food, and treated with respect for their loyalty and significance in the festival.
What happens during Laxmi Puja in Tihar?
Laxmi Puja celebrated on the third day, is one of the most important days of Tihar. People worship cows in the morning as a symbol of Goddess Laxmi, and in the evening, they decorate their homes with lights, flowers, and rangolis to welcome the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Deusi Bhailo, a traditional musical act, is also performed by children and adults during this evening.
What is Mah Puja, and who celebrates it?
Mah Puja is a ritual performed by the Newar community on the fourth day of Tihar. It is a religious act dedicated to oneself, where “Mah” means self and “puja” means worship. This ritual signifies the importance of self-purification and self-respect.
What is Bhai Tika, and why is it significant?
Bhai Tika is celebrated on the fifth and final day of Tihar. On this day, sisters perform a ritual where they put tika on their brothers’ foreheads and pray for their long life and safety. This ritual strengthens the bond between siblings, and it is believed that Yama, the god of death, blesses the brothers with health and longevity.
How is Tihar celebrated beyond religious rituals?
In addition to religious worship, Tihar is a time for family gatherings, fireworks, card games, and cultural performances like Deusi Bhailo. People of all ages enjoy the festival by singing, dancing, and sharing delicious meals with loved ones.
When does the Tihar Festival take place?
Tihar generally takes place in the late autumn, typically falling in October or November, depending on the lunar calendar.
Conclusion
Tihar festival in Nepal is a joyful moment of celebration that falls somewhere during the late autumn. It is a wonderful season for get-togethers and celebrations. People enjoy their vacation along with the religious acts and relishing celebrations. The fireworks, Deusi Bhailo act, cards, etc are some of the techniques of celebration. Likewise, praying to Goddess Laxmi, Lord Yama and his agents and informants like dogs and crows are the other aspects of this festival. Above all, Tihar is one of the best festivals that is celebrated all over Nepal by people of all age groups. From children to youth to adults and old people, everyone is super excited about this festival.
Happy festive season to all! And Happy Deepawali 2081-2024 to all of you from Nepal Intrepid Treks and the entire family. May Goddess Laxmi bless you with peace, prosperity, and happiness, the real essence of life.
