Tihar explained: Five days of celebration
/
Tihar is a Hindu festival celebrated across Nepal every year. It occurs at the same time as the Indian festival of Diwali, the festival of lights.
The festival spans five days, with each day dedicated to something different. Every year our Gurkha pensioners and staff take time to celebrate and enjoy themselves in a variety of ways.
Day one: Kaag Tihar
On day one of the festival birds (mainly crows and ravens) are worshipped. Believed to be messengers of the death god, Yama, people leave food offerings out in the streets and in their homes for the birds to eat.
Bishnu Kumari Rai, who lives in our Residential Home for vulnerable Gurkhas in Dharan also enjoys a special relationship with birds, explaining:
“It is easy to help others who are capable but I enjoy the most when I take care of animals and birds knowing that I have no expectation of anything in return from them. That according to me, is the pure definition of selflessness – when you do something for others without expecting anything in return!”
One of our Gurkha pensioners, widow 94 year-old Koko Maya Gurung (right) has a special relationship with birds all year round. She spends her days weaving maize seat mats to generate some extra income – and enjoys their company often.
Day two: Kukur Tihar
Day two of the festival sees all dogs worshipped with gifts of food and tikas placed on their heads. Both stray and pet dogs are included in the day – marking the special relationship between man and dog.
“At the gates of Svarga, Yudhishthira refuses to enter without the dog, who reveals himself to be the god Yama. Thus, the ancient bond between man and dog is established in the Mahabharata.”
Day three: Gai Tihar and Lakshmi Puja
On the third day of Tihar it is the cow‘s turn to be worshipped. In Hinduism the cow denotes the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi. As with day two, gifts of food and tikas are placed on the animals – and also marigold garlands.
Day three is considered the most important day of Tihar. Lights, oil lamps and candles are displayed everywhere and it’s also the day when traditional singing and dancing takes place – often by young girls, who are gifted money and food for entertaining. It’s also a popular day for fireworks across the country.
Day four: Govardhan Puja
Day four sees the Ox celebrated and worshipped in a similar way to the cow on day three. The Ox is especially important in rural Nepal where it is used to aid agriculture.
Day five: Bhai Tika
The fifth and last day of Tihar is dedicated to siblings: brothers and sisters. During this, sisters worship and pray to Lord Yama (Lord of Death), wishing for a long and prosperous life for their brothers.
Special tikas, made up of seven different colours, are placed on both brothers and sisters and special flower garlands are also gifted. Brothers are presented with food and sweets and sisters receive money and clothes.
