Tihar (Deepawali or Diwali) is one of the biggest and five days festivals celebrated in Nepal which is not long after the Dashain festival.
Tihar
Tihar is also known as the festival of lights. At this festival, the city and the houses are brightened with lights wonderfully where diyos are lit both inside and outside the houses to influence it to enlighten around evening time.
Houses are cleaned, and doors and windows are enlivened with festoons made of Sayapatri (marigolds) and Makhamali blooms (chrysanthemums).Tihar is also known as ‘Yama Panchak‘.
The five days celebration of Tihar is thought to be of awesome significance as it demonstrates veneration to the people and the Gods, as well as to the creatures like crows, cows, and pooches who keep up an exceptional association with people.
1. KAAG TIHAR – WORSHIPING CROWS
The first day of the celebration is called Kaag Tihar. Crows are worshiped by offering them food. The cawing of crows symbolises misery and distress in Hindus.
2. KUKUR TIHAR – WORSHIPING DOGS
The second day is called Kukur Tihar. Also called the Khicha Puja by the Newars. Dogs who are accepted to be messengers of Lord Yamaraj, the God of Death, are revered every year on this day. Individuals offer garlands, tika, and delectable sustenance to dogs and recognise the loving connection between people and pooches. This day is additionally seen as Narka Chaturdashi.
3. LAXMI PUJA – WORSHIPING COWS/GODDESS LAXMI
The third day is the most important of all and is called Laxmi Puja (Gai puja). Cows are worshiped on this day. In Hinduism, a cow indicates prosperity and wealth. On this day people show their thankfulness to cows by garlanding and feeding them.
At night, Goddess Laxmi, the goddess of riches expressed gratitude for every one of the advantages that were presented to the families by lighting oil lights (Diyo) or candles on entryways and windows to welcome thriving and prosperity. During the evening, the young ladies appreciate moving and visiting every one of the places of the area with melodic instruments singing and dancing known as Bhaili throughout the night gathering cash as a tip from houses and offering the abundance among themselves.
4. GOVARDHAN PUJA – WORSHIPPING OXEN
On the fourth day of Tihar, there are three distinctive known pujas, contingent upon the general population’s particular social foundation. It is seen as Goru Tihar or Goru Puja (love of the bulls). Individuals who take after Vaishnavism perform Govardhan Puja, which is venerated towards Govardhan mountain. Cowdung is taken as illustrative of the mountain and is venerated. Moreover, the dominant part of the Newar people group on the night additionally performs “Mha/Ma Puja” (love of self).
From this day onward, Tihar is praised with Deusi. Deusi is for the most part sung by the young men while the Bhailo is sung by the young ladies. Deusi is balladic in nature and recounts the tale of the celebration, with one individual in the gathering describing and the rest as the theme. Consequently, the house proprietors give them cash, and food grown from the ground. These days, social specialists and lawmakers alongside youngsters visit neighborhood homes and sing these tunes, and gather assets for welfare and social exercises.
5. BHAI TIKA – WORSHIPPING BROTHERS and SISTERS
The fifth of Tihar is called Bhai Tika. On this day sisters worship their brothers for their long life and express gratitude toward them for the protection and love they give to them.
On this day sisters do puja by circling brothers, trickling oil on the floor from a copper pitcher, and applying oil to their bother’s hair, following a seven-shading tika on the forehead. Alongside the seven-shaded tika, sisters give Sagun, fruits, and sweets and put garlands of flowers on them and pray for their long life. In return bothers to provide gifts to their sisters. At last, they enjoy yummy foods together.
Tihar is also called as Deepawali or Diwali.
Things that are used in Tihar Festival
- Sel roti
- Diyo (light with oil)
- Sayapatri flower (marigold)
- Makhamali flower (globe amaranth)
- Mala (flower garland)
- Lights
- Cards games
- Langur burja games
- Ping (swing)
- Bhailo and Deusi
- Sweets
- Fruits
- Walnuts
Happy Tihar to all !!!
