Tihar : Festival of Lights

1. Tihar : The Festival
Of Lights

3. First day : Kaag (crow) Tihar
• Crows are worshiped and fed early in the
morning on this day.
• Crow is considered to be the messenger of
death.
• People leave different food items on the roof
of their houses for crows to eat.

4. Second Day: Kukur (Dog) Tihar
• At Second day dog is worshipped as dog is
most loyal friend to humans.
• Puja is done by putting a red tika on dog’s
forehead and flower garland around the neck
offering him foods and sel roti.

5. Third day – Gai (cow) Puja and Laxmi Puja
• On the third day of tihar Cows are worshipped in
the morning.
• Cow is regarded as mother in Hindu religion, as we
grow up drinking her milk. Also cow is regarded as
Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and
prosperity.
• In the afternoon people clean our houses, paint
floors with Red Mud (Rato Mato) and cow dung
(gobar). At Nighttime all family members gather
together for laxmi puja(worshipping godess laxmi).

6. Fourth Day: Oxen/Goverdhan/Maha puja
• On this day three different Kinds of puja (worship )
are performed.
• Oxen is worshiped on this day by thanking him for
his hard work on the field.
• We also perform Govardhan Puja, which is done
by making a hill of govardhan parbat using Cow
dung. Cow dung has big importance in Hindu
culture.
• Thirdly Newari people celebrate Maha Puja also
known as self-puja. It is done to purify our body.

7. Fifth Day: Bhai tika
• 5th Day:This Day is very important for brothers and
sister. This day is known as bhai tika.
• This day sisters put “Tika of five colours” Paanch Rangi
Tika - Yellow, green, red, blue and white on forehead of
her brothers, to ensure long life and pray to Yamraja for
her brother’s long life and prosperity.
• On this day, Rani Pokhari Temple (located at central
Kathmandu) is opened for those who do not have any
brother or sister. This is the only time in a year the
temple is open to general public.