The second-most important religious festival in Nepal is taking place right now. It's name is Tihar, and it is celebrated with lights, and especially the goddess Lakshmi is worshipped. It last five days, and on each day, a different animal is worshipped. Today (November 15th) is the fourth day of celebration this year. The dates varies from year to year, but it always fall somewhere in October or November. It is a variation of the Indian festival Diwali, and both takes place on the same days. There are many similarities between the two, but they are distinct festivals.
The five days of Tihar
The five days are celebrated differently, but some things are a constant throughout. The days are national holidays, so families have a lot of time to celebrate together. Many families make patterns on the courtyard using sand, flour and powdered colour. These are called rangoli and are meant as a sacred welcoming area for gods and goddesses, particularly the goddess Lakshmi. They are often in the shape of flowers and can be really beautiful.
In the afternoons and evenings, communities often get together to celebrate with singing and traditional dance. Often kids go from house to house, singing songs and asking for gifts of money or clothes. Throughout the festival, firecrackers are often heard, and many people get together to play card games and gamble.
Day 1: Kaag Tihar
The first day is called Crow Tihar. On this day, crows and ravens are worshipped with offerings of grains and seeds placed on rooftops or streets. Hindus believe these birds to be the messengers of the death god Yama, and by feeding them on Tihar, people hope to ward off death and grief the following year.
Day 2: Kukur Tihar
The second day is all about worshipping dogs. Dogs are important in Hinduism, as they are messengers of the death god Yama. The bond of companionship between humans and dogs are also placed high in Hinduism. Therefore, on the second day of Tihar, both stray dogs and pets are offered treats and worshipped. This worshipping is done by placing garlands of marigolds around their necks, and placing a tika - which is a dot on the forehead made by coloured powder - on them. It is also considered a sin if someone acts disrespectfully towards a dog on this day.
Day 3: Gai Tihar and Lakshmi Puja
The third day of Tihar actually has two celebrations in one. In the morning, cows are celebrated, and in the evening the focus is on the goddess Lakshmi.
The cow is one of the most important animals in Hinduism and is considered sacred, because it is the animal the goddess Lakshmi uses for transportation. The cow is viewed as an animal that gives a lot more than it takes, as everything it produces can be used in some way. On this day of Tihar, people worship the cows by giving them tika and flower garlands, the same way as the dogs were celebrated the day before. In some places, they also oil the cows' horns and cloves, and give it multiple tikas on its flanks.
This day is considered the most important day of the festival, as this is the day where Lakshmi is celebrated. She is the goddess of wealth, and the patron goddess of the festival itself. All homes have been cleaned for this day, and the doors and windows have been decorated with garlands of marigolds. Small oil lamps called diyas are put up all around the house, both inside and outside, and especially in doorways.
Many houses have also been decorated with strings of electric lights. The purpose of all the lights is that it is believed Lakshmi will not enter dark houses. A special offering is also offered to her in the evening wishing for wealth, prosperity and good health.
Day 4: Govardhan Puja
On this day, the ox is worshipped. The ox is viewed similarly to the cow and worshipped for its help in manual labour. It is a very important animal in a land like Nepal where agriculture plays a big role in everyday life.
The group of hindus that follow Vaishnavism, one of the largest Hindu groups, also perform a ritual on this day that is called Govardhan Puja, which is worship of the holy Govardhan mountain. They use a pile of cow dung to represent the mountain, and worship that with flowers and powdered colour.
A lot of this day also goes with preparation for the following day, especially making all the food that is served.
Day 5: Bhai Tihar
On the last day of Tihar, brothers and sisters are celebrated by worshipping each other. The celebration ritual is based on a Hindu story, in which the goddess Yamuna's brother was mortally ill. The goddess then pleaded with the death god Yama to wait with claiming her brother's soul until the tika she had put on his forehead had faded, the water she had sprinkled on him had dried and the marigold garlands she had put around his neck had wilted.
Therefore, on this day the story is repeated by sisters creating a 'protective barrier' of holy water and blessed oil around their brothers while walking around them several times. Then a garland made either of marigolds or a purple flower called makhmali, known for its long live, is placed around their necks. Finally, a special tika made of seven different colours are placed on their foreheads. Traditionally, the brothers then placed the same tika on their sisters, and afterwards touch the feet of their sisters with their foreheads, signifying love, respect and devotion. But nowadays, the last part is sometimes omitted, and instead the entire ritual is just done again with the brothers walking around their sisters. Afterwards, various foods and snacks are served, and gifts like clothing or money is usually given out.
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