Tihar/Dipawali

Introduction

The festival of lights which is celebrated as Tihar/Dipawali is Hindu festival which is observed annually in Nepal and some parts of India and Nepali people all around the world. This festival is also celebrated in India as Diwali and the ritual that is done in Nepal during Tihar is different from the Diwali of India. The common things in both festivals is lights, lighting diya, making Rongoli, firecrackers and observing laxmi puja. During Tihar and Diwali performing puja of goddess is one of the most important ritual that is to be done compulsory. Goddess laxmi is known for the goddess of wealth so observing laxmi puja is said to bring wealth in the family. The special food of Tihar is sel-roti Nepali food made with the rice flour by frying in the pan with oil just like donuts and sel-roti is the common breakfast of every house during and after Tihar for some days. Sel- roti is used as sweet while performing puja for almost five days ritual.

Tihar is a special festival which is celebrated by performing puja of crow, dog, cow, ox, goddess Laxmi and of brother. Tihar is a five days festival and each day carries different ritual and puja. In Nepal, we perform five days ritual or puja as Kaag Tihar, kukur Tihar, gai Tihar/ Laxmi puja, Goru Tihar and Bhai Tika. Five days are celebrated in different way.

Kaag Tihar:

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Kaag is the local name of crow in Nepal and kaag Tihar is the first day of Tihar in which people put rice in a leaf before having lunch for the crow. Crow is known as the informant of Lord Yama (god of death) and crow informs people if something bad is going to happen. Continuous appearance of crow and shouting in loud is dislike by people as they believe that it's a bad sign.

Kukur Tihar:

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Second day is celebrated as kukur tIhar, kukur means a dog so it is a day where people observed the puja of dog with tika, marigold garland, and giving delicious food. Dog is well known for its loyalty towards the owner and dogs are the most trustworthy guard one can have when it comes to guarding the gate and people.

Gai Tihar/ laxmi puja:

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The third day of tihar in which people does puja of gai(cow) in the morning by decorating cow with color, garland is offered sel-roti and different foods. As gai Tihar is observed in the morning laxmi puja is done in the evening where each house is made brighter with different color lights, diyo(traditional small  man-made sand pot) or doors and windows are decorated by lightning candles, rangoli is made to welcome Goddess Laxmi and goddess Laxmi's pictures or painting is placed in any area of the house along with money, fruits, sel-roti, diyo etc, and the puja is done of Laxmi. At night group of people plays Bhailo and visiting every house and sing Bhailo song, dances and in return they are given rice, Sel-roti, fruits and money as a blessing. Bhai is a ritual meant to be played by girls at night by visiting different house and wishing every house to be blessed by goddess Laxmi.

Goru Tihar/ Ox puja

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Fourth day is called goru tihar where puja of goru/ ox is done in the morning same as gai puja. Ox was one of the most valuable animals in past as it was used to plough the land and has played vital role in traditional farming. And at night deusi is played by group of boys. As bhailo is supposed to be played by group of girls, deusi is meant to be celebrated by boys but nowadays mixed group can be seen in both bhailo and deusi.

 Bhai Tika :

Fifth day and the last day of tihar is bhai tika which is very special among brother and sister.
In this day sisters does puja of her brother's along with ritual. During puja sisters make protection circle around her brother for three rounds with the mixture of water and oil by the help of flower/ dubo and break walnut at once which is placed at center of the door and throws outside which indicates sisters wish for her brother to be free from hardships, grief and so on. They put seven color tika on her brother's forehead and garland of makhamali flower. At the same time brothers also put tika on sister's forehead and give money/gifts. Bhai-Tika is celebrated for the long-life and welfare of the brothers by sisters. This day is also related with emotional attachment between brother and sister.

History of Bhai Tika

There is a myth that one day yama dudh 9co-workers of lord Yama) reach to take a soul of a brother where his sister was preparing Bhai Tika. She requested yama dudh to wait until she finishes bhai tika and she was given some time and by observing the ritual yama dudh were pleased and asked for a wish a wish by then she wishes that yama dudh have to wait until the Makhamali flower wither which her brother wore if they want to take her brother's soul and Yama dudh grand her the wish. As makhamali doesn't wither for long time her brother's life become longer since then Bhai Tika was meant to be celebrated for brother's long life that the sisters wish for.

Hence, Tihar is festival is the combination of ritual for five different days respectively. Though the festival from religious perspective seems different from any other festival it has carried out religious norms and values as well the biological point of view is also included in this festival. Crow, cow, dog also plays important role to balance the ecosystem so they need to be worshipped although it's only for a day. Dog helps to guard against thieves, rubbery and protect our property so they are known as the most loyal so they do deserve love and affection. May this Tihar brings happiness among all the people around the world.