Tihar, also known as Dipawali and Yamapanchak, is a five-day-long Hindu festival.
Yama Panchak starts with people lighting butter lamps and worshipping Yama, the god of death. It is also called the festival of lights.
The first day is called Kag Tihar when crows are worshiped as the messengers of Yama, God of death. Crows are worshipped with offerings of sweets and dishes placed on the roofs of houses. The cawing of crows symbolizes sadness and grief in Hinduism. Devotees believe that the offerings will help avert grief and death in their homes.
The second day is Kukur Tihar when dogs are worshiped as protectors of the house. Dogs occupy a special place in Hindu mythology. According to legends, dogs guard the entrance to the kingdom of Yama.
The third day is famous as Gai Tihar and Laxmi Puja. On this day, cows are worshipped early in the morning. The cow is regarded as the mother and Laxmi, the goddess of wealth by the Hindus. On this day, prayers are offered to Laxmi, the goddess of wealth. Cow is worshiped in the morning, while Laxmi is worshiped at night. Devotees believe that Laxmi visits their homes at night to check who are lying awake. Many people stay awake, hoping that the goddess will be pleased and shower them with wealth.
The fourth day of the festival is Govardhan Puja when oxen are worshiped. On this day, there are three different kinds of pujas, depending on the people's cultural background. Mainly oxen are worshipped on this day by giving them good food. It is observed as Goru Tihar or Goru Puja (worship of the ox). People who follow Vaishnavism perform Govardhan Puja, which is the worship of Govardhan mountain. Cow dung is taken as a representative of the mountain and is worshipped. The majority of the Newar community perform Mha Puja (worship of self) on the night of this day. This day is the beginning of the new year of Nepal Sambat.
The fifth or the last day of Yama Panchak is Bhai Tika. On this day, sisters put tika on their brothers’ foreheads and wish them long life and prosperity. It is believed that Yamaraj, the god of death, visited his sister, Goddess Yamuna, on this day during which she applied the auspicious tika on his forehead, garlanded him and fed him special dishes. Together, they ate sweets, talked and enjoyed themselves to their hearts' content. Upon parting, Yamaraj gave Yamuna a special gift as a token of his affection and, in return, Yamuna gave him a lovely gift which she had made with her own hands. That day Yamraj announced that anyone who receives tilak or tika from his sister will never die on that day.
Yama Panchak starts with people lighting butter lamps and worshipping Yama, the god of death. It is also called the festival of lights.
The first day is called Kag Tihar when crows are worshiped as the messengers of Yama, God of death. Crows are worshipped with offerings of sweets and dishes placed on the roofs of houses. The cawing of crows symbolizes sadness and grief in Hinduism. Devotees believe that the offerings will help avert grief and death in their homes.
The second day is Kukur Tihar when dogs are worshiped as protectors of the house. Dogs occupy a special place in Hindu mythology. According to legends, dogs guard the entrance to the kingdom of Yama.
The third day is famous as Gai Tihar and Laxmi Puja. On this day, cows are worshipped early in the morning. The cow is regarded as the mother and Laxmi, the goddess of wealth by the Hindus. On this day, prayers are offered to Laxmi, the goddess of wealth. Cow is worshiped in the morning, while Laxmi is worshiped at night. Devotees believe that Laxmi visits their homes at night to check who are lying awake. Many people stay awake, hoping that the goddess will be pleased and shower them with wealth.
The fourth day of the festival is Govardhan Puja when oxen are worshiped. On this day, there are three different kinds of pujas, depending on the people's cultural background. Mainly oxen are worshipped on this day by giving them good food. It is observed as Goru Tihar or Goru Puja (worship of the ox). People who follow Vaishnavism perform Govardhan Puja, which is the worship of Govardhan mountain. Cow dung is taken as a representative of the mountain and is worshipped. The majority of the Newar community perform Mha Puja (worship of self) on the night of this day. This day is the beginning of the new year of Nepal Sambat.
The fifth or the last day of Yama Panchak is Bhai Tika. On this day, sisters put tika on their brothers’ foreheads and wish them long life and prosperity. It is believed that Yamaraj, the god of death, visited his sister, Goddess Yamuna, on this day during which she applied the auspicious tika on his forehead, garlanded him and fed him special dishes. Together, they ate sweets, talked and enjoyed themselves to their hearts' content. Upon parting, Yamaraj gave Yamuna a special gift as a token of his affection and, in return, Yamuna gave him a lovely gift which she had made with her own hands. That day Yamraj announced that anyone who receives tilak or tika from his sister will never die on that day.
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