The cow produces milk, cheese, ghee, urine and dung. Every year people from the Newar community celebrate the fourth day of Tihar as Mha Puja (worship of oneself). The fourth day of Tihar witnesses the worshiping of oxen and is celebrated as Goru Puja. The dogs are said to watch over the gates of Naraka, the Hindu concept of Hell. Nepal Association of Travel and Tour Agents, Day 1:  Kaag Tihar/Crow Day, worshiping crows, Day 2: Kukur Tihar/Dog day, worshiping dogs, Day 4: Govardhan Puja (Worshiping replica of hillock) and Mha Puja (Worshiping Inner Self), Day 5: Bhai Tika, Warm Bonding Between Brothers and Sisters, Celebrating Teej amid the coronavirus pandemic, Tihar Festival- Celebration of lights and spreading energy and bliss, Nepal Sanctuary Treks COVID-19 Safe Health and Safety Guidelines. (4th Day) ” The fourth day of the Tihar is also regarding worshiping yourself. In the evening, people lit up fairy lights and earthen lamps all over the houses. As ox is an imperative helper for the farmer, individuals can perform Goru Puja for ox. Beautiful patterns on the floor of courtyards are made using colored rice, dry flour, colored sand, or flower petals outside their house, known as Rangoli. Cow dung is taken and worshipped as a symbol of the mountain. [citation needed], The third day is also considered the most important day of the Tihar festival. People show their gratefulness to the cow by worshiping with sesame oil light, smearing them with auspicious red and yellow colors, garlanded with marigold flowers, and offered them the best grass and fruits. As part of a tradition, girls go from house to house dancing, singing, and showering the blessing which is called Bhailo. This tika is locally known as Saptarangi as it includes seven different colors. The second day of “Tihar” is devoted to dogs, the ride of Lord Bhairava- one of the manifestations of Almighty Shiva. Day Four of the week long Tihar festival in Nepal comes after the cow festival and it’s when things get a little complicated. The ox is seen as an analogue to the cow in Hinduism, as the ox provides manual labour, especially important for an agricultural country like Nepal. [citation needed], The fourth day of Tihar also generally coincides with the first day of the Nepal Sambat calendar and thus, is the celebratory Mha Puja for the Newa community, Mha Puja is a unique tradition where the self and the soul within is worshipped. [25], The fifth and last day of Tihar is called Bhai Tika or Kija Puja in Nepal Bhasa. The second day Kukur Tihar is for worshipping the dogs as the agents of Yama. Tihar festival Nepal is second greatest festival in Nepal. On this day, the ox is worshipped with tika, garland, and delicious food in the morning. The Newar people group likewise commend their new on the day. This joyous festival brings fervor, enthusiasm, lights up the mood with social gatherings. Nepal Sanctuary Trek © 2021. A cow is also considered to be a manifestation of Laxmi- the goddess of wealth. Like with Diwali, Tihar is marked by lighting diyas inside and outside the home but unlike the Indian festival, the five days of Tihar include celebration and worship of the four creatures associated with the Hindu god of death Yama, with the final day reserved for people themselves. The people of Newar community perform a self-worship ceremony called Mha Pooja. This ritual is generally conducted in the evening. On the day, Newar people group individuals play out a self-love function called Mha Pooja. Sisters break the hade okhar (walnut with a hard shell) with the stone which is placed on the middle area of the entrance door of the house, wishing that they could lessen their brothers’ grief. A pile of cow dung is taken as representative of the mountain and worshipped. Tihar in 2021 will start on Thursday, the 4th of November and will continue for 3 days until Saturday, the 6th of November. On this day, sisters put ‘Paanch Rangi Tika’ on their brothers’ foreheads, wishing them a long life and prosperity. [citation needed], The legend goes that the when the goddess Yamuna's brother fell mortally ill, Yama the god of death came to take his soul. Nepal Sanctuary Treks wishes everyone a very Happy and safe Deepawali! Essentially it’s the Ox festival, a celebration of oneself and when children come out in the evening asking, singing and dancing for money. [citation needed], In the evening, young girls go around the neighbourhood, singing and dancing in a tradition called bhailo. The cow is the vahana of the goddess of wealth Lakshmi and is thus also associated with prosperity. The tika placed on the forehead of the brother is also unique in that it consists of seven different colours. [1][22] A special puja is offered to Lakshmi in the evening, wishing for wealth, prosperity and good health. [1] According to the Vikram Samvat calendar, the festival begins with Kaag (crow) Tihar on Trayodashi of Kartik Krishna Paksha (the 13th day of the waning moon) and ends with Bhai (brother) Tika on Dwitiya of Kartik Sukla Paksha every year. During Mha puja people perform ritual worship that purifies and inspires one’s body and soul. Goru Tihar or Goru Puja (worship of the oxen) is observed. On the first day of Tihar Festival, people will offer … The fourth day arrives and brings with it the beginning of the new Nepal Sambat calendar with different types of worship depending on cultural background. Kaag Tihar (Crow Tihar): This is the first day of Tihar during which crows are revered and given sweets and different food items. A festival to celebrate the bond between Dogs and Humans", "The 'Explainer: What makes the cow sacred to Hindus? Similarly on the second day known as Kukur Tihar¸people worship dogs as the protector of the houses and properties. Playing Deusi-Bhailo, and worshiping different animals and birds as parts of nature are important aspects of this festival. There is also a tradition of purchasing new kitchenware, gold or silver jewelry to worship Goddess Laxmi. [8] Crows and ravens, believed to be the messengers of the death god Yama, are worshipped with offerings of grains, seeds, and sweets placed on the roofs or out on the streets. Get the latest news, offers and inspiring travel stories straight to your inbox. According to myth, Lord Shri Krishna lifted the Govardhan hill by his hand and saved the villagers of a place called Gokul from torrential rains showered by Indra, the God of rain. As part of the ritual, devotees try to pass in-between four legs of the cow. Devotees performing cow worship may also keep her manure in different parts of the home, consume a drop of the cow’s urine and even dip an edge of grass into the urine and sprinkle it on each other’s body. The festival is novel in that it shows reverence to not just the gods, but also to animals such as crows, cows, and dogs that have long-lived alongside humans. There is a belief that Yama possesses two guard dogs, each with four eyes. She then announced that no one will die on the day of Bhai Tika after receiving tika from his sister. Treks in Everest Region . The ritual of cracking a walnut is one of the fascinating aspects of Bhai Tika. The last day of Tihar is called Bhai Tika, the day for brothers and sisters. However, this year, the enthusiasm in the air feels different due to the ongoing pandemic. Since then, Bhai Tika is celebrated as a special occasion to strengthen the bond between brothers and sisters. According to the English calendar, Tihar is celebrated in the month of late October to the starting of November month. The festival is popularly known as Swanti among the Newars and as Deepawali among Madhesis. The first day of Tihar is called Kaag (crow) Tihar. The fifth day is an important bonding day between brothers and sisters. It is also called 'Goru Tihar' or 'Goru Puja'. This enfrentamiento (worshiping) is called as Mahapuja. 5. The host families provide them money, sweets, and other offerings since it is thought to be an auspicious moment for offerings, and these offerings are believed to increase the wealth. This day is seen as the beginning of the new Nepal Sambat calendar year. The first day beings from the Trayodashi of Kartik Krishna Paksha and ends on the fifth day with the Dwitiya of Kartik Sukla Paksha. In return, brothers also put Saptarangi tika to their sisters and offer them money and gifts. The Yamuna pleaded with the death god to wait until she had finished her final puja for her brother. Tihar is also known as “The Festival of Lights” and”Festival of Flowers”, as the houses are illuminated with additional lights and adorned with garlands. Apart from Goru Puja, this auspicious day also marks three different pujas including Govardhan Puja and Mha Puja. [3], Nepal's various communities celebrate Tihar in different ways. Another interesting aspect of this festival is witnessing sparks of dazzling firecrackers up in the sky that leaves anyone fascinated. It is beloved that goddess Laxmi pays a visit at home if people stay awake and play gambling until late at night. On the day, Newar community people perform a self-worship ceremony called Mha Pooja. As dusk falls, troops of boys go from door to door invoking the blessings from gods which are called Deusi. Govardhan Puja (गोवरदन पूजा) or Goru Tihar On the fourth day, Gorus (oxen) are worshipped. In addition, gambling, particularly card games are also popular aspects of the celebrations and considered auspicious. On the day, Gobhardhan hill is worshiped. In return, households offer rice, fruits, roti (home-made round bread), and some money. On this day, community and pet dogs are showered with flowers, adorned with garland, vermilion on their forehead, and offer various delicacies after the ceremonial function. Bhai Tika – Fifth / Last Day of Tihar Festival. In return, Yam Raj offered special gifts and blessings to his sister Yamuna. [28], The ceremony is performed regardless of whether the brother is older or younger than the sister and first or second cousins are also eligible for the ceremony. The boys sing and dance and visit the house of their neighbours and play Deusi. On this day, Crow or Kag is worshipped as the message carrier. Sisters also offer a garland of globe amaranth Marigold or Chrysanthemum, sweets, fruits, dry fruits gifts, and special dishes to the brothers. Then the Vaishnav community celebrate Govardhan puja that is the worship of Govardhan mountain. We celebrate Tihar to show our devotion to god and goddess. The fourth day of Tihar is “self day” or “self worship.” As the name implies, this ritual aims to felicitate the sprit dwelling in one’s own body. To ensure public safety, the government has issued guidelines on preventive measures to contain the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. To welcome goddess Laxmi, devotees perform Laxmi puja with prayers and offerings wishing for prosperity in personal life as well as business. Also known as Govardhan Pooja it is celebrated in the rest of the country on the fourth day of Tihar. The cow is an especially important animal in Hinduism and is considered sacred. The fourth day is for the draught animal, oxen when the Newari community also performs Mha Puja dedicated to oneself. All the celebration days of Tihar have its various myths, legends, and beliefs and every day starts with the offering. Yama, the god of death, is believed to own two guard dogs – each with four eyes. On the occasion, people worship oneself and celebrate by eating special cuisine and drinks. In the evening, Goddess Laxmi is worshipped like on the day of Laxmi Puja. In the end, the brother touches the feet of their sisters with their forehead, signifying love, respect and devotion. The Newar community performs 'Maha Puja' on this day by worshipping self. This day also calls as … On this day cow is offered prayers and food in the morning, and Goddess Laxmi is offered elaborate prayers and puja in the evening. The first day of Yama Panchak is dedicated to Kaag or Crow considered as the messenger of death. The fourth day of the Tihar festival is known as Goru Puja. The fourth day of Tihar is the most significant festival in Newar community as it is regarded as “New Year” and the ‘”worshiping of the self”  in Newari culture. This day sisters put “Tika of five … A pile of cow dung is taken as representative of the mountain and worshipped. [23] They are offered small amounts of money and food as rewards for the entertainment they provide. On this day, the crow is fed well and worshiped with the hope that they would not bring any news of sorrow to the family and prevent bad omens. On this occasion, sisters perform a special traditional ritual and apply seven-colored tika on their brother’s foreheads.

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