Tihar Festival Begins

 

Tihar festival, which is also called Yama Panchak or Deepawali. Also known as

the festival of lights, people celebrate Tihar by lighting their houses with butter lamps.

Goddess Laxmi is worshipped in this festival. Also worshipped is Yama, the God of death, whose relationship with his sister is marked during the festival which has a special significance in fostering love and respect between brothers and sisters.

Happy Tihar Festival

The festival is celebrated for five days by performing various rituals. The first day is called Kaag Tihar when crows are worshipped as the messengers of death. The second day is Kukur Tihar when dogs are worshipped as protectors of the house. The third day is Gai Tihar and Laxmi Puja. On this day, cows are worshipped early in the morning and Goddess Laxmi is worshipped in the evening. On this evening, people celebrate with much enthusiasm by lighting their houses, singing, dancing and merry-making.

Likewise, a small hillock made out of cow dung (representative of Govardhan Parbat) is worshipped on the fourth day of the festival called Govardhan Puja. People from the Newar community celebrate the fourth day of Yama Panchak as Mha Puja (worship of oneself). The day is also the beginning of Nepal Sambat calendar.