Tihar and Laxmi Puja (Festival of Lights)

Tihar, also known as Dipwali and Yama Panchak, is celebrated for five days. Dip means light, so the festival is called festival of lights. All the houses and even the street corners are illuminated by butter lamps and electric bulbs. The five days are called Yama Panchaka because the whole period is dedicated to the worship of Yama the God of Death. The festival begins with worship of crow and concludes with Bhai Puja (worshipping brothers).

The first day of Tihar, also called Kaag Bali, is the day of the crow, as crow is believed to be the messengers of Yama. Every householder offers various delicates to this bird. Dogs become centre of attention on the second day. Dogs are worshipped according to the religious ritual. Tika is a mark of blessing on dogs’’ foreheads of the creature along with garlands and feed them various delicacies. The holy cow is worshipped on the morning of the third day and the goddess of wealth in the evening. This is followed by Gobardhan Puja performed to commemorate Krishna’’s of lifting the mountain Gobardhan to protect his people from a terrible rain and flood. The festival comes to the conclusion when sisters pray Yamaraj for the longevity of their brothers and put tika on brother’’s foreheads and put garland made out of Marigold on their necks.

Kaag puja

Dog puja

worshipping the cow

Vai tika

Source: Nepal Tourism Board