Tihar

Tihar is also known as Deepawali in Terai and Diwali in India. Tihar is five-day long festival which is celebrated 20 days after Dashai Tika (Dashami). It is the second biggest festival celebrated in Nepal after Vijay Dashami. We can see whole Nepal lighting better than ever in a whole year during this festival. The five-day long festival begins with worship of Crow, followed by worship of Dog in second day, Laxmi Puja in third day, Govardhan Puja in day four and ends with Bhaitika on the fifth day. The festival marks the turn of year in Lunar Calendar, Nepali Sambat.

Today is the day of Bhai Tika this year. Bhai Tika which is celebrated on the 5th and last day of Tihar is an important day of the festival. Bhai Tika is such a day to pray for the long life of the brothers by sisters, which is referred as “Vai or Bhai”. According to Hindu religious scriptures, there are various stories behind the celebration of Tihar. One of the famous stories behind the celebration of Tihar is related to Yama (the god of death) and his sister Yamuna. Yama had been staying away from his sister for a long time. His sister wanted to meet him so, she asked various sources to visit him and ask him to give her a visit. She sent crow, dog, and cow and at the end he went himself to visit her house. She was very happy to see him and welcomed him by putting an auspicious mark on his forehead for his welfare, she put him five colored tika. Yamuna made a circle with mustard oil, Dubo Grass (Cynodon Dactylon) and put Makhmali Mala (Globe Amaranth) and asked Yamaraj not to go till the oil, Dubo Grass and the flower gets dry. Therefore, every sister worships her brother keeping him in the circle of mustard oil, putting mala (garland) of Makhmali flower and Dubo grass. He was so pleased with his sister’s reception, he proclaimed that every year, on the Tika day, if a sister puts a Tika (Tilak) on her brother’s forehead, then no one can harm her brother. Till date, this tradition is followed. Sisters perform puja for their brother’s safety and well-being. Brothers in return give gifts to their sisters as a token of love. Varied gifts specially meant for Bhai Tika is available in the market. This festival of Tihar is incomplete without Bhai Tika. This day sisters put “Tika of five colors” Panch Rangi Tika - yellow, green, red, blue and white on forehead of her brothers, to ensure long life and pray to Yamraja for her brother’s long life and prosperity. Sister offers brothers Shaguns of dry fruits especially walnut, hazelnut (Katus), fruits and sweets and in return the brothers give their sisters gifts and money. The brothers also put Pancha Rangi Tika to sister and bow her on her feet and assure her to protect her till the end of life. The Bhai Tika is an important day for the Hindu, to strengthen the relationship between brothers and sisters.