TIHAR

Tihar or Deepawali are the popular terms used to denote the festival Yama Panchak. It is also called festival of lights which is nearly the translation of Deepawali. As the name, Deepawali suggests, all the houses and important places are lit with butter-led lamps and illuminated with bright and colourful electric bulbs during the festival. The five-days long festival commences on the 13th of the dark fortnight of Kartik (Nov.). The legend concerning the observance of this festival says that Yama Panchak is observed as dedication to and also to express gratitude to some important factors of our social life by worshipping them in different days. Yama Panchak days are dedicated to the dog, the crow, goddess Luxmi, The Gobardhan mountain and the brother particularly by a sister for for various justifiable reasons cited in all those cases. In Newar communities, they have the place of worshiping the self instead of Gobardhan pooja. 

In other words, the five days are celebrated as follows: First day is the ‘Kag Tihar’ when the crow is worshipped. Crow is also known as the messenger of Yama. Second day is ‘Kukur Tihar’ or the day of the dogs when they are fed and worshipped. Third day is ‘Luxmi Puja’ or the day of worshipping goddess Luxmi. The fourth day is Govardhan Puja for a section of people when they worship Lord Krishna and the bullock. For Newars, it is the day of Mha Puja or worshipping oneself for the realisation of the self and enhancing self-confidence. This is also the New Year’s day according to Nepal Sambat started by Sankhadhar Sakhwal. Bhai Tika or the day of worshipping brothers by sisters is the fifth and the last day of the festival. This day is meant to strengthen fraternal bonds between brothers and sisters. 

A legend says that a sister had once saved the life of his brother from the clutches of Yama Raj by cleverly persuading the latter to hold on till she finishes worshipping her brother. Her terms were that the walnut should be saturated with water, gomferna flower should be faded away and the circle made of oil should get dried. All these items were ingredients of her worshipping. Deceived but not displeased, Yama had to go back alone on that day. During this festival people spend much in delicious dishes and various enjoyment programmes.