Festival TIHAR

I forgot about one of the fun and biggest festival of Nepal "Tihar". Tihar is also known by many names such as Dipawali or Bhai Tika or Laxmi Puja or as a festival of lights. It is a five-day festival, which comes soon after the Dashain Festival. In Tihar we worship different animals such as crow, dog, cow, and worship Goddess of Fortune or Wealth “Laxmi”. We decorate homes and streets, cook great meals at home and end the festival with an exchange of a special temporary mark on forehead (tika in Nepali). The last day of the festival is known as Bhai Tika day (Bhai in Nepali means Brother). Tihar is actually the festival when sisters wish a long life to their brothers.

On the first Day of the festival we worship crows and give them special food. Day two is the day where we worship dogs, covering them in orange flower chains and tika powder, as well as giving them good food. On the third day of Tihar we worship the holy cow by giving them food and putting tikas in head, and place flower chains around their necks. Laxmi, the goddess of wealth, is also worshipped on this day. We also go door-to-door singing to neighbors and friends in return for the gifts. On the fourth day of the festival, we engage in a day of song, where we sing and bless homes and family in return for gifts. This day is also reserved as the day of worshipping one's self. Lastly, on the fifth day of the holiday, sisters celebrate the lives of their brothers, and give them special flower chains and tikas on their foreheads to wish them luck.

Throughout this holiday, we light beautiful butter-lamps and place them along roads, in front of our houses, and in windowsills. Others stream lights from their roofs, and the entire country is lit up in a beautiful celebration of life and family. Tihar is the festival where all people are entertained just by the environment of the festival. Environment is so joyful that people feel happy without any reason.