Five days of Tihar-Festival of animals, lights and flowers

Also known as Deepawali, festival of lights, Tihar is the second biggest festival in Nepal.

This festival usually takes place in the month of October to November in solar calendar.

Hindus celebrate this five-days festival of Tihar performing various rituals. We honor crows, dogs, and cows and worship Laxmi, known as Goddess of wealth.

We are celebrating five-days Hindu festival of Tihar. 

Kaag Tihar

Kaag Tihar (Crow Day) is celebrated on the first day of Tihar. People offer food to crows. According to Hindu mythology, crows are messenger of Yamaraj, known as God of Death.

Kukur Tihar

On this second day of Tihar, hindus apply Tika-a red mark to the forehead of Dogs and serve them with their favorite food, meat, rice and dog foods. Not just the pets, but street dogs are also honored and fed on this day.

Gai Tihar and Laxmi Puja

On the third day, people observe Gai Tihar and Laxmi Puja. The day start with the honor of Gai (Cows). Cow is believed a sacred animal in the Hindu religion. Hindus consider cow as an obedient animal which gives more than it takes. People worship cows with garlands and apply Tika to their forehead.

During the day, people clean all the nooks and corners of the house and decorate the doorways and windows with garlands made from marigold flower to welcome the Goddess of wealth.

The evening is dedicated to the puja (worship) of Laxmi. After offering prayers for wealth and prosperity to the Goddess, people enjoy sweets deusi and bhailo (dancing, singing and merry-making).

People light their house full of candles and Diya. Diya, also known as Diyo holds significant meaning and is believed to be the symbol of journey towards enlightenment.

Govardhan Puja

The puja is worshipped on the fourth day of around a week-long festive. Go means ‘Cow’ and Vardhan means ‘Nourishment’.

The people make replica of Govardhan Mountain made from cow dung.

According to Hindu mythology, God Sri Krishna lifted Govardhan Mountain to protect people from drenching rain. It is believed that the god of rain, Indra caused this heavy rain as he was angry.

Also, the Nepali Hindus also honor with garland, Tika and food. Ox is considered a very hard-working animal and it is very useful in agricultural works.

Similarly, on this day, the Newars perform ‘Mah Puja’ which means ‘Worship of the self’. People perform this ritual to celebrate, purify and empower their soul.

Bhai Tika

This day celebrates brother-sister relationship. The sisters offer special prayers for their brother’s long life, bliss and prosperity.

According to the legend, Yamuna invited her brother Yamraaj, god of death. She offered her brother with dishes, decoration, blessed him applying Tika on his forehead. Impressed, Yamraaj gifted a boon that if sisters worship him on this day, their brothers will be blessed with long life.

On the modern day, the sisters perform the ritual by honoring their brothers with tika, special makhamali garland, assorted fruits, dry fruits and other delicacies. Makhamali flower symbolizes long life.