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Tihar, as popularly called as Deepawali by Hindus, is a festival of lights and colour, celebrated for 5 days. We also refer to tihar as ‘Yama Panchak’ which literally means “the five days of the god of death”. Houses are decorated with tinsel candles, oil lamps and electric bulbs. The children enjoy having new clothes, good foods, singing and playing with fire crackers. The first day of tihar is known as ‘Kag tihar’, crows’ day. On this day crows are offered food on a plate made out of leaves in the morning before anyone in the house takes in food. Crow the messenger of death is honoured on the first day of tihar. The second day is called ‘Kukur tihar’, dogs’ day. As the legend says that there is a dog at yama’s gate guarding the gate to the underworld. The dog is also the steed of the fearful Bhairab, the god of destruction. So, on this day a big red tika is put on a dog’s forehead and a beautiful garland around the neck. After worshipping the dog, it is given delicious meal. On this day one can see dogs running around with garlands on their neck. The third day is the most important day of the festival. It is called ‘Laxmi puja’, the day when this goddess of wealth worshipped. On this day, early in the morning cows are worshipped. Tika is put on her head and a garland around her neck then she feasts with delicious food. A cow also symbolises wealth and she is the most holy animal for Hindus. Cow is the national animal of Nepal. On the fourth day normally most of the people perform ‘Goru puja’, ox worshipping. The ox is worshipped with tika, garland and then a delicious meal is fed to it. On the other hand people who follow lord Krishna perform ‘Gobhardan puja’. These people build a small hill made out of cowdung and put some grass on it then do puja on it. This puja symbolises the act of lord Krishna when he lifted the gobhardan hill and saved millions of people and cows from floodwater. There is tradition of doing “Mha Pooja” by the Newar community; worshipping their own body to safeguard themselves from evil. This day is also the New Year, known as Nepal Sambat, followed by the Newar community. The last day of tihar is ‘Bhai tika’, putting tika on brothers by the sisters. The royal astrologer gives the appropriate time to put the tika through the national radio a day before and the entire nation abides by it. At this moment the entire nation observes bhai tika. The main theme behind bhai tika is the sisters praying for their brother’s long life from Yama Raj, god of the underworld the “narka”. Through out this time, especially in the evenings Laxmi, the goddess of wealth, is worshipped. Rows of candles, oil lamps and colourful lights are placed on terraces, windows and doors and the house is purified from the gate to the worshipping room with red soil, hoping that the goddess will reside in their home. Laxmi Pooja, Gobardhan Pooja, and Bhai Tika are the series of event under Tihar. Our children too celebrated Tihar in traditional way. They had sweets and “cell” a special dish eaten during this time. They lit candles in front of their dorms and had goodies through out. On the 2nd day 18 boys and girls from the senior classes went out to sing songs, as traditionally called as playing Deusi. They had practiced for days for this day. They went to six houses including two of their teachers. Of course it was started from the school. The boys and girls sang and the girls danced. It was really a fun event! I am longing to see how they will perform next year.

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