Tihar Festival in Nepal: The Festival of Lights

Looking for information about Tihar Festival in Nepal?

You’ve come to the right place. As a foreigner living in Nepal, I have been lucky to be in Nepal for Tihar a few times already. Here is everything you need to know about Tihar Festival in Nepal.

Tihar is the second most important Nepali holiday after Dashain. Tihar (or Diwali in India) is the Festival of Lights during which time houses and streets are decorated with fairy lights.

It is a 5-day long festival and celebrates not only Goddess Laxmi, but also the brother-sister relationships and human relationships to animals.

Tihar Festival in Nepal: Significant Days

Day 1: Kaag Tihar

The first day of Tihar is Kaag Tihar. In Nepali, ‘kaag’ means ‘crow’ and on this day, crows are worshipped. 

It is believed that crows and ravens are the messengers of Yama, the god of death. In Hindu mythology, crows and ravens are associated with sadness and grief as they are supposed to be carrying messages from Yama.

During Kaag Tihar, crows and ravens are worshipped by the offerings of seeds and grains. By feeding the crows, people hope to ward off death and grief.

Day 2: Kukur Tihar and Laxmi Puja

In Nepali, ‘kukur’ means ‘dog’, and thus, the second day of Tihar is dedicated to the worship of dogs.

On this day, the special relationship between dogs and humans are celebrated. Dogs are worshipped by placing a tika on their forehead and by putting garlands of marigold around their necks.

Laxmi Puja

The day of Laxmi Puja is the most important day of Tihar festival. It is believed that on this day, Laxmi, the goddess of wealth will visit her devotees and bestow good fortune on them.

For this reason, people decorate their houses with fairy lights so that Laxmi will find their house in the dark and visit them.

At the entrance of the houses, it is also common to make a rangoli. The rangoli is supposed to bring good luck and it also signifies a welcome for Laxmi to visit their homes.

The rangoli is usually prepared by female members of the household and is made out of coloured powder, sand and rice.

Day 3: Gai Tihar

On the day of Gai (cow) Tihar, the cows are celebrated as they are are considered sacred animals in the Hindu religion. The cows are associated with prosperity and an animal that serves to give many things to humans (e.g. milk, cheese, ghee).

Thus, on the third day of Tihar, cows are worshipped by feeding them with treats and putting tikas and garlands on them.

Day 4: Govardhan Puja and Mha Puja

On the fourth day of Tihar, the ox is worshipped. The ox is seen similar importance to that of the cow. 

Mha Puja

This day, generally also coincides with a Newari holiday, the Mha Puja. During Mha Puja, the self and soul is worshipped. 

Day 5: Bhai Tika

The last day of Tihar is the Bhai Tika. On this day, the relationship between brothers and sisters are celebrated.

Sisters usually place a garland around their brothers’ neck to signify a wish for long life. Brothers and sisters also place a 7-coloured tika on each others’ forehead.

After the ceremony, sisters give cooked food and fruits to their brothers, while the brothers in return give cash or clothes as gifts.

Celebrating Tihar Festival in Nepal

See the Kathmandu Valley with all the fariy lights from the Swoyambhu /Monkey Temple: On the evening of Laxmi Puja, the houses and streets are decorated by fairy lights. It is a beautiful view to see the Kathmandu Valley with all the fairy lights and you can get a great view from the Monkey Temple.

Buy fairy lights and decorate your balcony/window: Tihar is the festival of lights and one of the best ways you can enjoy it, is to buy some lights and decorate your balcony/windows.

Make a rangoli: Buy some coloured powder and make a rangoli at the entrance of your accommodation. You can google some ideas for easy rangolis online.

Volunteer at a dog shelter during Kukur Tihar (the “Day of the Dog”): Despite people’s love for dogs, many dogs are abandoned in Kathmandu.

Thus, there are many stray dogs in Kathmandu and the work of animal shelters are crucial. If you are in Kathmandu during Kukur Tihar, you can sign up to volunteer at one of the dog shelters – for example, the Community Dog Welfare Kopan.

FAQ: Tihar Festival in Nepal

What is the Tihar Festival in Nepal?

Tihar is the second biggest festival in Nepal, following the Dashain Festival. Tihar usually falls around October or November and celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters, as well as human relationships to animals, such as cows and dogs.

How is Tihar celebrated in Nepal?

Tihar is celebrated over 5 days, each day is dedicated to a different celebration. Main celebrations include days dedicated to dogs, cows, and crows, as well as to brothers and sisters, and worshipping Goddess Laxmi.

What are the 5 days of Tihar Festival?

Over the 5 days of Tihar, the following celebrations are held each day:

• Day 1: Kaag Tihar (celebration of the crow)
• Day 2: Kukur Tihar and Laxmi Puja (celebration of dogs and Goddess Laxmi)
• Day 3: Gai Tihar (celebration of cows)
• Day 4: Govardhan Puja and Mha Puja (celebration of ox). Mha Puja is specific to the Newari community, the celebration of one self.
• Day 5: Bhai Tika (celebration of the relationship between brother-sister)

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Tihar Festival is the second biggest festival in Nepal. It is 5 days long and each day is dedicated to a specific celebration.

During Tihar, human relationships to animals are celebrated, as well as the brother-sister relationships.

The houses and streets are decorated by fairy lights during Tihar which make it look very special.

People also prepare a rangoli our of coloured powder at the entrance of their houses. The rangoli is supposed to be prepared as a welcome to Goddess Laxmi.