TIHAR

Tihar is the second most important festival after Dashain celebrated mainly to honor Laxmi, the goddess of wealth. The five days festival is also called the Yama Panchak as it is also associated with  Yama, the god of death, and the Underworld. The first day is called ' Kag Tihar' which is observed by offering worship to crow, the messanger of Yama. Dogs are worshipped on the second day or the 'Kukur Tihar'. The day honors the man's best friend for all its devotion and love. Dog is also considered as Yama's custodian and is believed to have accompanied King Yudhisthir to the heaven as per the epic Mahabharat. Tihar's third day is observed as the Gai Tihar or Laxmi Puja. Tihar starts in earnest on this day when cows are worshipped as the incarnation of goddess Laxmi. In the evening Laxmi is worshipped and the houses are lit with oil lamps, candles and colorful light bulbs to welcome the goddess of wealth and offer her blessings.There is a tradition of playing Bhailo and Deusi in the evening, where groups of women and men visit the houses of their friends, relatives and neighbors and perform traditional songs of Deusi and Bhailo asking for alms in return. Oxen, the original beasts of burden, are worshipped on the fourth day known as the `Goru Puja ' or `Gobardhan Puja'. The bullocks hold a significant place in the rural society as they toil hard throughout the year pulling the ploughs to till the fields. The Newar community worship their own body and soul in the evening as the 'Mha: Puja' wishing for good health and long life. The final day of Tihar, Bhaitika', is considered the most important and celebrates the eternal love and affection between brothers I and sisters. Sisters put seven I colored Tika on the forehead of their brothers and garlands around the neck wishing for I their prosperity, health and long life. It is believed the tradition of Bhaitika began with Yama and his sister Yamuna.