Tihar Festival in Nepal: The Festival of Lights

Most of us have always heard about cultural festivals and all, but have you ever heard of festivals of lights? Tihar Festival Nepal, held in Nepal, is recognized worldwide as the Festival of Light, popularly called Deepawali.

Few occasions have been cherished, such as this holy event in Nepal. According to the Hindu calendar, it usually occurs in October–November. For a full five days, each day of the festival is devoted to certain rituals and prayers.

During the Tihar festival, people of Nepal will put on lights and lamps of different colours and decorate their homes and streets with rangolis. Therefore, Tihar in Nepal will be beautiful. People clean up and beautify their houses to welcome God Laxmi, who they believe will be visiting them during the celebration of this auspicious occasion.

However, the Tihar festival Nepal is a symbol in which light conquers darkness and good defeats evil; it is the festival of people’s happiness.

Why is Tihar celebrated in Nepal?

The Tihar festival of Nepal is celebrated for several reasons, and its origin is found in the identity of folk tradition and mythology in Nepal. Much attention is paid here to the role of the cow in the Hindu faith, for the spiritual purpose of every festival is to pay homage to the different creatures and gods and those of the earth. It is celebrated for five days and is known as a Yamapanchak festival.

Five Sacred Days of Tihar in Nepal

Deepawali or Yamapanchak, also known as Tihar, is one of the most beautiful festivals in Nepal. Usually, Tihar falls in October or November, with reference to the lunar calendar.

During five days, people turn on their lights, families come together, and different spheres of life are respected and appreciated.

The Kathmandu valley has its own variant of the festival called Tihar, commonly known as Swanti by the Newar community.

The festival is full of tradition and sentiment because every day of the Tihar has its day, rituals, and stories.

Day 1: Kag Tihar

Kag Tihar refers to the worship of crows. Hindus consider crows to be messengers of Yamraj, who is a god of death, and they bring something good or bad.

Worshipping crows on this day is a sign of respect and a prayer not to bring sorrow and misfortune.

During the morning, the people keep rice, beaten rice, and little foodstuffs on rooftops, windows, or in courtyards.

Kag Tihar is the appreciation of the natural world and the hidden messengers between the human world and the spiritual world.

Day 2: Kukur Tihar

Day 2 of Tihar is devoted to dogs who are known for their loyalty, protection, and honesty. It is taught in mythology that dogs guard the gates of the afterlife and serve Yamraj.

Dogs are given Makhamali  flower garland. A red tika is applied on their forehead, and an oil line is drawn on their head to protect them against bad energy. They are also given special food as a way of gratitude.

Most of the people give the roti that are made during the Tihar.

Kukur Tihar reminds us of the unconditional love and close attachment of a human with animals. It is among the few in the world that honor dogs so much.

Day 3: Gai Tihar and Laxmi Puja

The third day is the center of Tihar and consists of two significant festivities, which are Gai Tihar in the morning and Laxmi Puja in the evening.

Cows are also worshipped during Gai Tihar, which represents wealth and motherliness. They are presented with food, flowers, and tika. The Nepali society respects cows that are used in farming and their life.

During the nighttime, the families also perform Laxmi Puja to bring in the Goddess Laxmi, the goddess of wealth.

The homes are also well cleaned, and rangoli is made at the entrances. It is made so to welcome by decorating diyas, candles, and lights.

People do puja of everything inside the house that is considered as wealth. They also keep their ornaments and wealthy things in the puja place until the Tihar is finished.

It is done according to certain rituals. A tika is put in the doorway (Dhoka) to invite good energy. Pomelo is also given while worshipping.

When the night sets in, the lanes are busy with Deusi and Bhailo. Groups go house to house as they sing traditional songs full of humor, blessings, and stories. Deusi- Bhailo enhances community bonding and brings happiness.

Day 4: Mha Puja and Govardhan Puja

Govardhan Puja is observed in most Hindu households to pay tribute to nature and Ox. The cow dung is rolled into a hill looking like a little Govardhan Mountain and is adored as a sign of thanksgiving for food and shelter.

Ox is worshipped because they help in ploughing lands for growing crops. This day is Swanti, which is a Newari tradition, celebrated in Kathmandu Valley, on Mha Puja.

Mha Puja refers to self-worship. Individuals share their meals around some well-lit mandalas. Self protection is provided by oil lines; tika and flowers are given to everyone.

Mha Puja aspires to self-respect, balance, and the value of one’s life. It teaches us not to forget the importance of taking care of ourselves, just as one would take care of others.

Day 5: Bhai Tika

The most important day is Bhai Tika. It is celebrated on the fifth day of each year to honor the special relationship between brothers and sisters.

Sisters put seven colored tika on the foreheads of their brothers, and say good fortune, prosperity, and long life. This is a simple little ritual that opens the ceremony.

It indicates preservation and the achievement of potential prosperity. They apply the seven auspicious colours to each other’s foreheads together in spirit.

Along with following the standard practices, sisters also prepare banquets with food that they have baked themselves. They make the feast even more festive by bringing a variety of tasty delicacies and sweets.

Men also give their sisters tokens of love as they show appreciation for their sisters through their love and feelings. Bhai Tika is not only a time for celebration but also a moment for reflection. The importance of familial relationships and the support system they provide.

Process of Bhai Tika

Bhai Tika day is grand, so the preparation starts the day before. Sisters give invitations to their brothers. Mostly cardamom, Betelnuts, and such spices are used to invite people to the tika’s day.

The sisters take a bath early in the morning to do the chores. It is believed that bathing and doing chores make the process pure.

Then the sisters block the door by putting the oil and the seven colors of tika mixture. This is done to protect the brother from evil during the tika day.

Since it is one of the biggest festivals, the best food and sweet delicacies are prepared. Sisters apply Saptarangi tika, made from seven colors. Each color represents protection, strength, health, prosperity, longevity, peace, and success. This is why the seven-colored tika is always used during Bhai Tika.

Brothers receive Bhai masala, a mix of nuts, dry fruits, and spices that symbolize good health and long life. Flower garlands are placed around the neck. In many families of the Kathmandu Valley, the red tika culture is also followed alongside the Saptarangi tika.

Bhai Tika is emotional and meaningful. It strengthens family ties and carries blessings that last beyond the festival.

Who celebrates the Tihar in Nepal and Where?

Tihar festival of Nepal is a Hindu festival celebrated under the name Deepawali. It is a popular festival in Nepal. The majority of Hindus are in India, while some Hindus are in other countries.

In Nepal, Tihar festival Nepal is the biggest celebrated festival. People from every strata of life and those from different ethnic backgrounds join in the festivities. It is commonly believed that the festival originates from Hindu mythology and tradition. Still, many other groups also celebrate it in the country, thus underscoring its cultural diversity with the spirit of inclusivity.

Nepal sees street decoration, illumination, and rangoli drawings with bright colours during Tihar. This shapes a lively and adorable aroma along the street. Accomplishments associated with the details of everyday life. Such as making a home clean and decorated for the festival, and families. They get busy with the fulfillment of traditions and ceremonies.

Although the entire country celebrates the Tihar festival of Nepal. It is evident that some groups and regions around the country. They showcase their distinct customs and ways of celebrating this colourful event. The community of the Newars in Tihar festival in Kathmandu Valley celebrates the festival in a very different way with rituals and ceremonies. They are specific to their culture and are not familiar to other communities.

What foods are made during the Tihar festival of Nepal?

To celebrate the occasion, traditional and delicious foods are cooked during the Tihar festival. The most loved dish is Sel Roti.

A sweet, round rice bread fried until golden crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. Another preferred sweet is the Kaju Barfi, a rich and creamy cashew nut fudge. Usually prepared as a special treat during the festive season.

Nepali families have prepared various savoury foods, ranging from Samaya Baji to a traditional platter of Newari that includes beaten rice, buffalo meat, boiled eggs, and other condiments. One significant is Masu, meat of chicken, buffalo, or goat meat.

During the Tihar festival in Nepal, desserts are a significant part of the celebrations. Nepali Dishes such as Anarsa (a deep-fried rice cake made from rice flour and sesame seeds). Malpuwa (a sweet pancake) are prepared and shared with family and friends. Generally, Tihar is a period of tasting tasty food and exploring Nepal’s culinary variety.

How can tourist celebrate Tihar?

Tourists who will be visiting Nepal during the Tihar festival will live this festive period in a way that they have never experienced before. A lot of hotels, resorts, and travel operators have special Tihar Tour packages which allow tourists to join the local people to the ancient rituals and celebrations. 

One of the amazing ways you can experience Tihar is by staying with a Nepali family who will welcome you as their guest and you would be in a position to observe the customs and traditions directly. While in Nepal, visitors can visit the many temples and monasteries around, during which they can actually observe as well as be part of the prayers and rituals that happen during Tihar.

One of the Tihar attractions for tourists is partaking in folk dancing and singing popularly known as Deusi and Bhailo. Tourists can go along with groups as they go from one house to the next, and give their blessings and small presents in return. The major tourist areas like Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan and Bhaktapur are visibly very lively during Tihar festival as they are beautified with flowers and lights.

In the trek regions like Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek and some people on Everest Base Camp Trek also celebrate Tihar in majestic way.

For this reason, tourists feel welcome and the atmosphere is festive. Every streets and temples are decorated with bright lights and Rangoli.

Deusi- Bhailo and Games of Tihar  

Deusi- Bhailo is among the happiest traditions of Tihar. It generally begins from the evening of Laxmi Puja and lasts till Bhai Tika. Participants sing Deusi and another dance.

They will go from house to house, singing traditional songs that are meant to bless the family with good health, happiness, and wealth.

The owner of the house gives money, sel roti, fruits, or sweets. The songs also narrate tales of Lord Bali and Goddess Laxmi and teach children the importance of sharing and unity.

Deusi-Bhailo is a time for neighbors to unite and take over the streets, singing, laughing, and adding to the festive glow. It’s not just about money, it’s about bringing joy, keeping culture alive.

During these days, people play traditional games like Langur Burja, Cards, Dice, and Kaudi Khel. Families and friends gather to sit, talk, laugh, and socialize as they compete in a friendly game. It is said that playing these games contributes to one’s luck and is a way of family bonds.