Tihar Festival

Tihar festival is a festival of lights and worshiping animals. It is also known as Yamapanchak or Dipawali. Tihar is one of the meaningful festivals celebrated by the Nepalese Hindu community. After Dashain, it is the second biggest festival in Nepal. All Nepali citizens also get three days of national Holidays. Tihar is celebrated during the Autumn, usually in late October or November.

It lasts for a total of five days. In these five days, the whole villages, towns, and cities in Nepal are decorated with oil lamps (diyos), colorful lights, and marigold flowers. The aroma of candles, marigolds, incense, houses smeared with red mud or cow dung, with folk song in the background, hits different.

From day one to the last, each day of the Tihar festival has meaning and traditions. Every day is dedicated to animals (like crows, dogs, cows, and oxen) and gods. It honors the goddess Lakshmi (wealth) as well as Yama (the god of death).

Worshipping them is the way of showing honour and gratitude as well as recognizing their importance in life. Tihar festival ends with Bhai Tika, a tradition of worshiping a brother by a sister to protect them from enemies and praying for longevity.

Tihar festival truly shows the unity, culture, tradition, and Nepal’s deep respect for nature, kinship, and harmony. It’s a celebration of Nepalese culture and identity.

In this blog, we are going to talk about the essence of Tihar. The skies glow with earthen lamps (diyos), and families worship and celebrate to invite wealth and goodwill into their homes. The Tihar festival gives a magical feeling, and anybody can experience this beautiful and meaningful festival together.

Tihar Festival Nepal: Cultural Traditions and Myths

Tihar festival holds a cultural heritage and many mythological stories. Every day of Tihar is dedicated to a specific theme, like animals and gods. During this festival season, you can see offerings placed on rooftops and streets. Likewise, the front ground of the house is decorated with colourful rangoli art.

The first day of the Tihar festival is Kaag Tihar. In Hindu beliefs, Crows are regarded as god Yama’s messengers. People wake up early in the morning, bathe, and give offerings of grains to Kaag to ward off misfortune.

Similarly, the second of the Tihar festival is Kukur Tihar. The Dog Tihar in Nepal is celebrated to honor the dogs. People worship all the pet dogs and stray dogs with food, marigold garland, and Tika (red forehead marks).

Tihar festival is then followed by Gai Tihar and Lakshmi Puja. This day is dedicated to cows and the goddess Lakshmi. Early in the morning, people feed the cows, put marigold garland, and adorn them with Tika and other colourful colors on their bodies.

And in the evening, people clean the house, prepare the earthen lamps (diyos), and all for Lakshmi Puja. This worship is done to invite wealth. It is also the day for Bhailo, played by females. The singing of traditional folk songs from home to home, giving blessings and receiving dakshina (money).

The fourth day is Goru Tihar, oxen (goru). It’s a way of giving gratitude for their role in farming. Oxen are also symbolic of the  “Govardhan” hills of cow dung. It is also worshipped in memory of a Krishna legend.

Tihar festival ends with Bhai Tika. It’s a festival of the sister-brother bond. Sisters apply the Sapta Rangi Tika (seven color tika) on the brother’s forehead and put the mala (garland) of Makhamali and Marigold flowers. Sister prays that their brother will be protected by the gods and wishes for a long life.

The Five Days of Nepali Tihar Festival in Details

Kaag Tihar (Day 1)

Tihar festival starts with Kaag Tihar. On this day, people worship the crows and ravens. In Hindu belief and myth, it is believed that crows are the messengers of Yama, the god of death. People give grains, rice, and sweets to feed them and leave them on rooftops or outside. It is believed that feeding them means warding off sorrow and misfortune for the coming year.

It is also the day to celebrate Dhanteras (Dhan Trayodashi). People worship the Lord Dhanvantari, the god of medicine. It is also believed to be auspicious to buy new household items, silver or gold, in Kaag Tihar to bring good luck and prosperity.

Kukur Tihar (Day 2)

The second day of the Tihar festival is Kukur Tihar, the worship of dogs. People honored all the pet dogs and even stray dogs by giving them treats, applying tika, and putting the flower garlands. Legends from the Mahabharata and Hindu mythology link dogs with Lord Yama and Lord Bhairava.

Moreover, it is also a way of honoring the loyal dogs for protecting the home and family. The dog festival is one of the most popular as it is celebrated even outside Nepal.

Gai Tihar & Lakshmi Puja (Day 3)

The main highlight of the Tihar festival is the third day. In the morning, in Gai Tihar, people worship the cows. They are a sacred animal in Hindu culture and also the national animal of Nepal. During Gai Tihar, people adorned the cows with colorful Tika, garlands, and fed them delicious food.

The best part is the evening of the third day of the Tihar festival, which is the time to have a grand celebration of Lakshmi Puja. It is the most important part of the Tihar festival.

From the morning, people clean their homes, smear the front ground of houses with cow dung and red mud, decorate doors and windows with flowers, and make rangoli art on the ground, and light rows of diyos (oil lamps) to welcome Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.

People pray for good fortune as the houses glow with lights and diyos. Another fun part is Bhailo. Girls go around neighborhoods singing bhailo, a tradition of song and dance giving blessings nd asking for dakshina. People are having fireworks all night.

Govardhan Puja & Mha Puja (Day 4)

The fourth day of the Tihar festival is Govardhan Puja and Mha Puja. However, they are celebrated differently by people according to their communities:

1. Goru Puja worships oxen as a gratitude for their hard work in farming.
2. Govardhan Puja is celebrated by Vaishnav Hindus. It’s a worship of the holy Govardhan mountain, which represents a mound of cow dung. Govardhan Parbat is a mountain in the legend of god Krishna.
3. For the Newar community, this day is Mha Puja, which means “worship of the self.” It’s the start of the New Year in the Nepal Sambat calendar. This tradition is celebrated to purify and honor one’s soul.

Bhai Tika (Day 5)

The main highlight of the Tihar festival is Bhai Tika, celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters. This tradition is one of the sacred. The ritual is followed by prayers and the exchange of gifts and delicacies. Sisters from all over Nepal invite their brothers to celebrate and perform puja.

According to myth, the tradition of Bhai Tika began with the goddess Yamuna. It is said that when her brother fell gravely ill and was on his deathbed, Yama, the god of death, came to take his soul. Yamuna finds it hard to let her brother go, and she pleaded with him not to take him away until she had finished her rituals.

Yamuna started the ritual for her brother by applying Saptarangi tika on his forehead, placing garlands of makhamali flowers around his neck, and creating a protective circle of holy water and oil. Seeing this, Yama was greatly moved and granted her a wish.

Yama said, “Until the tika fades, the oil had dried, and the flowers had withered, nothing can harm her brother.”

Since then, Bhai Tika has been celebrated as a day of love, protection, and blessings between siblings.

Therefore, in Bhai Tika, sisters perform the ritual by putting seven colored tika on the brothers’ foreheads. The tika symbolizes long life as they circle three times with holy water and oil, which is believed to create a safety barrier and protection.

Likewise, they put makhamali garlands, which are known for their long-lasting freshness, symbolizing long life and prosperity. They also crack the walnut with Lohoro, which symbolizes getting rid of a brother’s troubles.

Furthermore, sisters also give some delicacies and clothes, and brothers also apply tika to sisters, give them gifts, and money in return. This ritual is performed regardless the brother is younger or older, or even among cousins.

Bhai Tika concludes with the brothers bowing to touch their sisters’ feet with their foreheads. Later on, all family gathers for a feast. They eat traditional foods like sel roti, fruits, and sweets prepared by their sisters.

Nepali Tihar Festival Foods and Delicacies

In Nepali festival Tihar means lots of food. The Tihar festival is best for food enthusiasts. Families make varieties of traditional dishes and sweets, which are must must-try to join the vibes of the Tihar festival.

• Sel Roti: It is a traditional delicacy of Nepal. Sel roti is a ring-shaped, sweet rice bread, crispy outside and soft inside, and a signature delicacy of Tihar. Sel roti is also used during the rituals or puja.
• Fini Roti: A white, layered, and crispy flatbread which is mostly enjoyed with curry, alu ko achar, or tea, and offered to Goddess Laxmi.
• Rasbari: Soft, spongy milk balls soaked in sugar syrup. It is one of the favorite desserts served during festivals and celebrations.
• Anarsa (Chini Roti): A sweet and slightly savory treat made with rice flour and jaggery, topped with sesame seeds.
• Arsa (Bheli): A chewy, deep-fried sweet made with rice flour and jaggery. Along with sel roti and Arsa is also traditionally given as part of sagun to brothers during Bhai Tika.
• Khuwa: It’s a sweet made by slowly reducing buffalo milk until it solidifies. It’s a creamy dessert flavored with cardamom and nuts.
• Aloo ko Achar: A spicy potato salad tossed in mustard oil and dried chili. It also contains cucumber, radish, peas, and other spices, which create a tangy taste perfect to eat with rice.

Why Experience Tihar Festival in Nepal?

From the tradition to sacred rituals, the Tihar festival is one of the must-experience festivals for travelers and festival enthusiasts. This festival gives an opportunity to learn about Nepali culture, traditional practices, and all in close.

As you already know Tihar festival is a festival of lights. However, unlike the other light festivals, it is connected with religious beliefs. This festival shows Nepal’s identity and togetherness. Being part of this festival means you can enjoy all of these unique and traditional cultures.

The view of houses bathed in twinkling lamps and decorated with marigolds is pleasing to the eye. Moreover, dancing along with the neighbors singing Deusi-Bhailo on the streets, and tasting festival foods, is quite a rare chance to experience.

You might also get an invitation from friendly locals to their homes for blessings and feasts.

Best Time For Nepali Festival Tihar

The best time for the Tihar festival is from late October to November. However, Tihar dates are not fixed as they follow the lunar calendar. Therefore, the exact dates are different each year, and there is no specific time called the best time.

Visiting Nepal around this time is perfect, as from September to November is also the peak season for traveling in Nepal. The weather in Nepal during the autumn season (September-November) is dry and clear. Visitors can see the crisp mountain views, and the temperature is also pleasant. The nights get cool yet comfortable for both city touring and light trekking.

Top 5 Popular Destinations to Visit during the Tihar Festival Nepal

Autumn is one of the peak seasons for traveling in Nepal. Due to the stable weather conditions, clear skies, and festive seasons, you can trek and experience the Tihar Festival up close. The top 5 popular destinations to visit during the Tihar festival are:

1. Short Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek (4 days)

The villages along the Short Ghorepani Poon Hill trek route come alive as the whole village blooms with marigolds and makhmali flowers, festive decorations. The fragrance of flowers and houses decorated with rangolis is truly worth it. This trek is short, accessible, and brimming with culture. Plus, the views of sunrise over Annapurna and Dhaulagiri are best.

2. Manaslu Circuit Trek (14 days)

This package leads you to a remote, lesser-traveled route. But this also means you can experience authentic culture and traditions as you pass through the centuries-old villages like Samagaun and Lho. The Manaslu Circuit Trek is suitable for Himalayan adventure seekers and festive atmosphere.

3. Langtang Gosaikunda Trek (13 days)

The Langtang Gosaikunda Trek takes you to the alpine lake of Gosaikunda. Filled with spirituality, it is one of the best trekking routes to enjoy the beauty of nature along with the culture. This trek shows you the local traditions of offerings and rituals performed at the lake.

4. Langtang Valley Trek (11 days)

It’s a moderate-level trek through dense forests and Tamang villages. If you do the Langtang Valley Trek during the Tihar festival, you will get a chance to experience local customs and decorations. Most of all, the trails also get clear and dry during the Autumn season.

5. Annapurna Circuit Trek (16 days)

Doing the Annapurna Circuit Trek during the Tihar Festival is one of the best experiences. During this time of year, the weather is sunny and the mountain views are incredibly clear. The trails are also dry, safe, and offer great views of the surroundings.

As you pass through the Villages like Manang and Marpha, you can see traditional stone houses decorated with lamps, flowers, and colorful patterns to celebrate Tihar. Furthermore, you can also see fireworks, join in folk dances, and try festival snacks like sel roti. The teahouses are mostly open, and they provide comfortable rooms. Trekkers can also experience the local hospitality at its best.

In conclusion, the Tihar festival shows Nepal’s most authentic culture, tradition, and beliefs. And we have brought this beautiful opportunity for you to experience it too. Access Nepal Tours and Trekking has exclusive offers for travelers. Now, you can customize a trekking or touring date, aligning perfectly with the Tihar festival dates, and experience this festival.