Tihar, the festival of lights

Tihar—the festival of lights is at the door of every Hindu Nepalese and everyone seems to be preparing to welcome it. Tihar, also known as “Deepawali” or “Yama Panchak” is the second biggest festival of Hindu Nepalese as the most awaited Dashain ends inviting Tihar to reinstate the festive happiness of all Hindu Nepalese. Celebrated for five days initiating from the 13th day of the fading moon in October, this year the Tihar is going to step inside the door of Nepalese on 16th of October and it will step out on 19th of October. This year Tihar has only four days due to effect of lunar date.

Tihar or “Yamapanchak,” which literally means—five days of the underworld lord, Yamara, is the feast celebrated in almost all part of the country, but Kathmandu valley has its own unique mode of its celebration due to presence of Newar community. Decorated, clean and illuminated buildings, houses, streets with various types of unblemished lights, candle and oil lamp is the very gorgeous part of this festival. People worship the goddess of wealth, Laxmi and an ethnic group, Newar has special ritual of worshipping their own body which is called ‘Mha Puja’. According to Newari calendar—it is the new year of “Nepal Sambat”. Showing reverence to animals like crow, dog, and cow is another characteristic feature of this festival unlike other festivals where only gods are worshipped. Delicious foods and sweets are prepared in every home, so Tihar is also called festival of sweets. Another specialty of this festival is ritual of brothers being worshipped by sisters with wishes of long life and prosperity of brothers.

Let us observe each day of the Yamapanchak rather closely.

Day 1 : Kag Tihar
The first day of Tihar is “Kag (crow) Tihar”. On this day, crow is worshipped. Crow is regarded henchman of the underworld Lord, Yamaraj. People bath in the early morning and cook delicious foods for them as well as for crows. Although crow is regarded inauspicious, it is worshipped and offered delicious food on this day. According to Hindu myths, the cawing of crow signifies the grief and sadness, so to avoid the sadness and grief, people worship crows. In other words, people adore crows for avoiding bad luck and bringing good luck.

Kukur Tihar

Day 2: Kukur Tihar
Kukur (Dog) Tihar (Khicha Puja in Newari) is the second day of Tihar. On this day, people adore the very loyal and best friend of humans, i.e., dogs and are specially treated on this day. The dogs are worshipped and ornamented offering red tika on the forehead and flower garlands around the neck and are fed delicious foods. According to Hindu mythology, dogs are another henchman and loyal guard of lord of underworld, Yamaraj. Additionally, the dogs are also considered as the stallion of the terrified god Vairab, god of annihilation. Thus, the dogs are worshipped on this day. Kukur Tihar is also observed as Narak Chaturdashi remembering the victory of the God Krishna over the demon of filth, Narakasur. People wake up before dawn and go to nearby rivers, take a dip and light oil lights and let them float and take away by the river. Doing this they believe they will be in safe side from going to hell.

Day 3: Gai Tihar or Laxmi Puja
Gai Tihar (Saa puja in Newari), is the third day of Tihar. On this day, people worship cow. The cow is regarded as the representative of goddess Laxmi. After bath, people prepare delicious foods. They ornament cows by tika on their forehead and colors all over her body. They offer flower leis around her neck, offer sweets and delicious foods to her. Again, people clean their houses with extra labor on this day and wipe various part of their house with Rato Mato (red clay) and cow dung. Not only this, people sprinkle a drop or two of her urine in their body. Hindus regard cow’s urine as very pristine and is used to sprinkle in order to purify in events like funeral, name giving day, and on other holy occasions. On this day, the Rakshya Bandhan which they had tied on their wrists in “Janai Poornima” is tied on cow’s tail. It is believed that if one does so, the cow will help to cross the “Baitarani River” (an imaginative river that separates hell from heaven).

In the evening, using red clay and cow dung a line is made from outside to inner section of the home where goddess Laxmi is going to be worshipped. People believe goddess Laxmi will enter the home through this line. Lights are lit, candle lights and oil lights (diyo) and even electric lights. After this illumination, people worship goddess Laxmi and offer various fruits and sweets to her. Young girls start roaming around by singing Bhailini, (a special song of girls singing during Tihar). In return, people offer money, fruits and Selroti (special kind of Nepali bread) to them.

Day 4: Mha Puja (worshiping of own body) or Gobhardan/Goru Puja
The fourth day of Tihar is known as Goru Puja and oxen are worshipped on this day. Oxen are very important for farmers of Nepal as they are only animal to aid them to plough fields. Also, Goberdhan puja is done on this day. A hill like structure is made of cow dung and is worshipped considering it as Goberdhan Hill. Among Newari ethnic group, this day is more special because of Mha Puja and the New Year of Nepal Sambat (Nepal Era). The people who are from Newar community only celebrate the day as Mha Puja (worshiping of own body). They make special kind of Mandala (Manda in Newari), decorating with various flowers, sweets, fruits, Mala (garland) and Ita (special kind of thread made to burnt as symbolizing the life span of the one). People also accept Shagun (dish consisting egg, fish, fruits, meat, sweets etc.) by the elder female members of the house. The process is meant to purify the own body. Moreover, the day is also celebrated as the beginning of Nepal Sambat, New Year of Newar’s.

In the evening, young boys start roaming around by singing Deusi (a special song of boys singing during Tihar). ). In return, people offer money, fruits and Selroti (special kind of Nepali bread) to them.

Bhai Tika

Day 5: Bhai Tika
The final day of Tihar is known as Bhai Tika. Due to this day’s specialty, the festival is also known as the festival of brothers and sisters. On this day, sisters offer tika which consists of seven colors (Sapta-rangi Tika) to their brothers and also offer fruits, nuts, and sweets. Garland made up of Makhamali (Globe amaranth or Gomphrena globosa) is used. Use of Makhamali carries a meaning here. Sisters by offering Makhamali garland to brothers wish their long life as Makhamali does not wither they mean their brothers’ life never would wither. They also offer Shagun (made of dried fruits and nuts, and candies) to their brothers and wish for their long life with the god of Death, Yamaraj and in return they will get gifts and money from brothers.

On this day, Rani Pokhari Temple (located at the centre of Kathmandu) is opened for those who don’t have brother or sister. This is the only day the temple is opened publicly.