How is Tihar celebrated?

Tihar is a festival of lights. It is celebrated for five days, starting two days before the new moon. This festival is associated with Yamaraj, the God of Death and Laxmi, the Goddess of Wealth.

On the first day of this festival, crows, believed to be messengers of Yamaraj, are worshiped. On the second day, dogs are worshiped with tika, flower garlands and food. Dogs are regarded are Yamaraj’s gatekeepers. Similarly, on the third day cows are honored with flower garlands, both as a symbol of Laxmi and as the soul’s guide to Yamaraj’s underworld. In the evening people light their homes with oil lamps, candles and electric lights to welcome Goddess Laxmi to their homes. Children make rounds singing ‘Deusire’, which is a form of musical fundraising.

The fourth day is also the start of a new year for the Newars of Kathmandu Valley. On the fifth day, Bhai Tika, sisters recall the myth of Jamuna who tricked Yamaraj into postponing her brother’s death indefinitely, by blessing their brothers and giving them tika, garlands and sweets. Brothers in return give their sisters gifts and money.

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