Why we celebrate tihar

In Nepal, all Hindu ethnic groups celebrate this festival with their own variation. For the of majority Hindus, it is the festival of lights.

Tihar in general signifies the festival of lights, where diyas are lit both inside and outside the houses to make it illuminate at night. The five-day festival is considered to be of great importance as it shows reverence to not just the humans and the Gods, but also to the animals like crows, cows and dogs who maintain an intense relationship with humans.

The first day of the festival is called Kaag Tihar. Crows and ravens are worshiped by offering them sweets and dishes, which are placed on the roofs of houses. The cawing of crows and ravens symbolizes sadness and grief in Hinduism, so devotees offer crows and ravens food to avert grief and death in their homes. Tihar, among Gorkhas, represents the divine attachment between humans and other animals.

The second day is called Kukur Tihar worship of the dogs. It is also called the Khicha Puja by the Newars. Dogs, which are believed to be messengers of Lord Yamaraj, the God of Death, are worshiped each year on this day. People offer garlands, tika and delicious food to dogs and acknowledge the cherished relationship between humans and dogs. This day is also observed as Narka Chaturdashi.

This festival has been garnering a lot of attention from western countries for the love and respect that Nepalis show to their dog on this day. On the eve of Tihar, the husband will buy gold and silver jewelry for his wife. After the festival of lights commences, houses and rooms will be cleaned and painted to show respect for the gods and goddesses.

Nepalese put on their new clothes and make determination to start a new life. The merchants begin to use the new account book instead of the old one. At night, each family and stores will lit varieties of colorful lights, and the sky is filled with spectacular fireworks. During this festival, friends and relatives will get reunion and exchange Tihar gifts and greetings with each other.

The climax of Tihar in Nepal is bathing in the holy river to purify the body and mind. In addition to pray to the gods for the health of the whole family, Nepalis also pay special respect to Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and luck. Generally speaking, Nepalis will celebrate to eleven great festivals from mid-October to mid-November. Tihar comes soon after Dashain. When the night falls, the whole Kathmandu valley turns to be a sea of lights.

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Email me about your travel idea. Indra Jatra, also known as Yenya, is the largest street festival in Nepal. Following Gai Jatra, Indra Jatra festival is Gai Jatra, also known as festival of cows, is mainly celebrated by the Newar community in Kathmandu to commemorate the d Holi is the most colorful festival in Nepal.

On this day, sisters also worship Yamraj, the lord of death to lengthen the life span of the brothers. Hindu religion worships dogs because they are messengers of Yamraj — the God of death — and worshipping the animals is supposed to help appease Yamraj himself. Dogs are considered our protectors for the active role they play in safeguarding the community.

On Kukur Tihar day, dogs around the community are adorned with flower garlands , tika a red mark applied to their forehead and offered food after a ceremonial function. It is believed that a girl called Yamuna whose brother was ill prayed for his long and healthy life. When Yama, the God of Death came to take her brother with him, she pleaded for some time to worship her brother.

Yama granted this wish to her. Then the girl performed a long ceremony for her brother and Yama. As the turf grass and the flowers remained fresh till the next Bhai Tika, Yama granted the boy a long life. From then on, the sisters began to worship their brothers for their long and healthy life.

It is celebrated with lights, lighting the butter lamp every where in the house. Children and elder enjoy fire crackers, go door to door singing Deusi and Bhailo traditional Tihar song and dance and enjoy the Selroti and Anrasa.