Last Updated on April 5, 2022 by Alpha Adventure Treks
Tihar, also known as Deepawali, Yamapanchak, or Swanti (Newar), is a five-day Hindu festival celebrated in Nepal and the Indian states of Sikkim and West Bengal, especially in the towns of Darjeeling and Kalimpong, which are home to a substantial ethnic Nepali population. It usually occurs in the Nepali Kartik month (October to November on the Solar Calendar) and lasts five days. Crows, dogs, cows, and Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and luck, will all be honored at this event. The crow and the dog are thought to be Yama’s (Death’s) messengers. Their worship is observed for the first two days. Cows are worshiped in the morning and Laxmi, the Goddess of Wealth, is worshiped in the evening on the third day, with the belief that she will bring good fortune to the worshiper. Bhai Tihar, often referred to as Bhai Tika, is the last day of Tihar. Sisters pray for their brothers’ long and prosperous lives on this day.
Kaag Tihar:
Kaag (crow) Tihar is the first day of Tihar. Crows and ravens are venerated as messengers of the death deity Yama, and offerings of grains, seeds, and sweets are left on roofs and in the streets. Crows and ravens are thought to bring messages from Yama, hence their cawing is associated with sadness and mourning in Hinduism. Devotees hope that by feeding the crows, they can please them and avoid death and grief for the coming year.
Kukur Tihar:
The second day is known as Kukur (dog) Tihar, and the Newars refer to it as Khicha Puja. All dogs, whether domestic or stray, are given treats and revered by wearing a tika on their foreheads and wearing marigold garlands around their necks on this day. This day symbolizes the beginning of a special relationship with him. Yudhishthira refuses to enter Svarga without the dog, who later exposes himself to be the god Yama. The Mahabharata thus establishes the ancient relationship between man and dog. Bhairava, a terrible incarnation of Lord Shiva, possessed a dog as a vahana(vehicle), according to the Mahabharata. Yama, the god of death, is said to have two guard dogs, one with four eyes and the other with two. Naraka, the Hindu notion of Hell, is reported to have dogs guarding the gates. This day is also known as Naraka Chaturdashi in honor of this belief. Kukur Tihar has now grown in popularity on the internet, and in 2016, a Mexican animal rights organization adopted it for a similar event in Mexico City. Many Nepalis in Australia were said to be enjoying the event as well. In 2008, Asian Art in London organized a charity dog walk to commemorate the festival. In 2016, Kathmandu Metropolitan City launched a program to “humanely manage urban dog population” with the support of Humane Society International and Jane Goodall Institute Nepal. Dogs in Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, were “usually healthy and accepted by the society,” according to an educational assessment conducted by the International Companion Animal Management Coalition.
Gai Tihar and Laxmi Puja:
The third day’s morning is known as Gai (cow) Tihar. In Hinduism, the cow is a very significant and revered animal. The cow is the vahana of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and is hence connected with wealth. On the third day of Tihar, Nepali Hindus thank the cow by feeding it goodies and praising it with tikas and garlands. Lakshmi, the festival’s patron goddess, is welcomed into homes that have been cleansed and garlands made of marigolds hung from the doorways and windows. Diyas are placed throughout the house, particularly at doors and windowsills, and electric lights are hung over houses in the belief that the goddess will not enter dark houses. In the evening, a special puja is done to Lakshmi, wishing her wealth, success, and good health. Young girls sing and dance throughout the neighborhood in a practice known as bhailo. As compensation for the amusement they provide, they are given small sums of money and food. On this specific day, fireworks are also common.
Govardhan Puja and Mha Puja:
The ox is worshipped and honored on Tihar’s fourth day, which is known as Goru puja. In Hinduism, the ox is considered as a counterpart to the cow since it performs manual labor, which is especially significant in an agricultural country like Nepal. Govardhan Puja, or devotion of the holy Govardhan mountain, is also performed by Vaishnav Hindus. The mountain is represented by a pile of cow dung, which is revered. The Newar community celebrates Mha Puja on the fourth day of Tihar, which also happens to be the first day of the Nepal Sambat calendar. Mha Puja is a unique ritual in which the self and the soul within are worshipped.
Bhai Tika:
In Nepal Bhasa, the fifth and last day of Tihar is known as Bhai Tika or Kija Puja. Brothers and sisters acknowledge their particular link by adoring one other on this final day, which is celebrated with great fanfare around the country. Brothers and sisters will get together on this day to accept Tihar quotations on their foreheads. After presenting the brothers with the multicolored Tika and magnificent garlands, the sisters would present them with Shaguns (a type of candy) as a Tihar gift. The brothers would then do the same ceremony on their sisters, putting Tika on them in exchange for money. The ceremony is held regardless of whether the brother is older or younger than the sister, and it is also open to first and second cousins. Finally, the brother places his forehead on the feet of their sisters, showing love, respect, and devotion. The brothers get a variety of cooked foods like sel roti, fruits, and packaged foods, while the sisters get cash or other gifts like cosmetics.
FAQs:
For devoted Hindus, the festival (known as Kukur Tihar) is linked to the idea that dogs are messengers of Yamaraj, the deity of death, and that Yamaraj can be appeased by worshiping the animals and insuring their pleasure. People compliment dogs for their devotion and friendship, which helps them perceive death in a more positive light.
Kukur Tihar or Kukur Puja simply translates to “dog worship.” This is a small celebration held as part of the greater Hindu festival of Diwali, or the Festival of Lights. One of the festival days is dedicated only to the human’s most faithful companion and guardian, according to Nepalese tradition.
Shiva possessed a dog as a vahana (vehicle) when he was Bhairava (mentioned in the Mahabharata).
Kukur Tihar celebrations began in Mexico in 2016, and were inspired by the Nepali festival, with the goal of raising awareness about the respect that people should have for all animals. Since then, the celebration has grown in popularity, with dogs receiving special recognition.
Crows, dogs, cows, and Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and luck, will all be honored at this event. Tihar is also known as the festival of lights because many candles and festive lanterns will be lit in honor of Goddess Laxmi.
Tihar is a Hindu festival commemorating God’s victory over demons. People worship various animals that are regarded as divine gifts from Mother Nature and assist communities in many ways in their daily lives.
One of the most well-known legends about Tihar concerns Yama, the God of Death, and his sister Yamuna. For a long period, Yamuna and Yama were separated from one another. Yamuna used to send messages through crow because she was desperate to meet her brother. She used to look forward to hearing from her brother.
From Kartik Krishnapakchya Trayodashi, Tihar is celebrated for five days in a row. Yama Panchak is another name for this time, which is derived from Yamaraj, the deity of death.
The five-day Tihar celebration commemorates Yama, the God of Death, while Laxmi, the Goddess of Wealth, is worshipped during the festivities.
For devoted Hindus, the festival (known as Kukur Tihar) is linked to the idea that dogs are messengers of Yamaraj, the deity of death, and that Yamaraj can be appeased by worshiping the animals and insuring their pleasure. People compliment dogs for their devotion and friendship, which helps them perceive death in a more positive light.
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