Tihar the festival of lights and colours
Tihar the festival of lights and colours also known as Deepawali and Yamapanchak, is the second-biggest festival after Dashain. It is a five-day-long festival mostly celebrated by Hindus all around the world. During this festival, people will admire crows, dogs, and cows as well as Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and luck. As numerous candles and festive lanterns will be lit up for the Goddess of Laxmi, Tihar is also well-known as the festival of lights and colours. The five days of Tihar have their own significance.
Cultures of Tihar the festival of lights and colours:
Tihar festival is the second biggest festival in Nepal. It’s celebrated for five days and bestowed with the traditional cultural characteristics of Nepal. And each Tihar holiday has its own saying. The first day of Tihar is to worship crows, “the messenger of death”. People often sprinkle rice on the ground for crows’ pecking. The second day of Tihar is to honour dogs, “the guardian of the god of death”. The third day is to welcome the Goddess of Laxmi. The fourth day is to thank cows. The fifth day is to place Tihar quotes (Tihar Tika) to brothers and present Tihar gifts for sisters.
Day 1: Kaag Tihar/Crow Day, worshipping crows
On the first day of the Tihar festival, people will offer rice to the crows, “the messenger of death”. These crows are busy all year round, and only have this day to rest. It is important to ensure that the crows are happy, otherwise, they will inform the bad news, and bad things would happen in the coming year.
Day 2: Kukur Tihar/Dog Day, thanking dogs
The second day of the Tihar Festival is called Kukur Tihar. On this day, Nepalis will honour dogs for they believe that the dog can guarantee the souls of the dead to get to heaven. People usually wear dogs with Tihar Tika and calendula garlands and then treat them to a fancy dinner. In Nepal, the dog plays an important role as “the gatekeeper of death”, which is said to lead the deceased across the river of death in the underworld. On Kukur Tihar, Nepalese policemen will present beautiful garlands to the patrol dogs and paint their foreheads in red cinnabar to thank them for their contributions to social security.
Day 3 Gai Tihar and Laxmi Puja, honouring cow and the goddess of wealth
On the third day of the Tihar Festival, Nepalese often worship cows and Laxmi, the goddess of wealth. This day is also the most important holiday at the festival. People would get up early and clean the room thoroughly. Hence, they start to thank cows. After a cosy bath, those cows will wear red Tika and beautiful wreaths, with holy strings from the priest tied to their tails.
When the night falls, dazzling candles, oil lamps and bright lights are lit up at the doors, steps, even on the roof. All the Nepalis will make their home as luminous as possible to attract Laximi’s attention. If the day happens to be Saturday, shops and stores won’t follow the traditional practices and keep open to welcome the goddess of wealth. At this moment, Nepalis kids won’t be idle. They come to visit neighbours in small groups and sing Tihar songs like Bhailo and Deusi for blessings. In return, the house owner gives them money, fruit and sweets.
Day 4: Goru Puja, Govardhan Puja and Maha Puja, celebrating Newari New Year
Under different cultural backgrounds, people will honour different things on the fourth day of Tihar. As ox is an indispensable helper for the farmer, people will perform Goru Puja for ox. Considered as the representative of Govardhan Mountain, cow dung is worshipped in Govardhan Puja. In addition, this day is also seen as the beginning of the new year for the Newar community in Kathmandu valley. All the Newarians will reunite for this festival and perform Mha Puja to worship themselves.
On this day, the elder father would draw two geometric figures. One is painted for blessing the whole family and the other is dedicated to the death of Yama and his messenger. Then all the members will have a special family feast and enjoy some lucky food, like boiled eggs, fried fish, tasty desserts, etc. After the grand banquet, they’ll take turns to worship the death of Yama Panchak and exchange Tihar gifts with each other to pray for good luck in the next year.
Day 5: Bhai Tika, performing Kija Puja
The last day of Tihar is known as Bhai Tika. On this day, brothers and sisters will gather together and accept Tihar quotes on their foreheads. After placing the multi-coloured Tika and splendid garlands to the brothers, the sisters would offer them some Shaguns (a kind of candy) as a Tihar gift. And then the brothers would follow the same ritual to put Tika on their sisters and give them some money in return. This celebration has enhanced the close relationship between brothers and sisters.
