Tihar Festival of Nepal

 Tihar, also known as Deepawali or Diwali, is one of the most significant and popular festivals in Nepal. Celebrated over five days, Tihar is a time of bonding with family, friends, and showing gratitude to the goddess of wealth, Laxmi. This festival is also an opportunity to reflect on the values of love, compassion, and unity.

The first day of Tihar is Kaag Tihar or Crow Worship Day. Crows are considered as messengers of Yama, the god of death. On this day, people offer food to the crows and place vermilion on their foreheads as a symbol of respect. This tradition is based on the belief that feeding crows will bring good luck and ward off evil.

The second day of Tihar is Kukur Tihar or Dog Worship Day. Dogs are considered as the guardians of the gates of heaven, and on this day, people worship dogs and offer them food and garlands. This tradition is based on the story of Lord Yama and his dog who guarded the gates of the underworld. People believe that offering respect to dogs will bring good luck and happiness.

The third day of Tihar is Laxmi Puja or Gai Tihar or Cow Worship Day. Cows are considered sacred in Hinduism, and on this day, people worship cows and offer them food and garlands. This tradition is based on the belief that cows are a symbol of wealth and prosperity. People also believe that offering respect to cows will bring good luck and prosperity.

Laxmi Puja is one of the most significant aspects of the Tihar Festival in Nepal. It is celebrated on the third day of the festival, which falls on the night of the new moon in the month of Kartik (October/November) according to the lunar calendar. The festival is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Laxmi, who is believed to be the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Laxmi Puja is an important event for Hindus all over Nepal and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion.

The preparations for Laxmi Puja start days before the actual event. Houses are cleaned and decorated with colorful rangolis, diyas (lamps), and flowers. The markets are filled with people buying new clothes, sweets, and decorations for the occasion. The atmosphere is filled with excitement and anticipation as people get ready to welcome the goddess of wealth into their homes.

On the day of Laxmi Puja, the entire family gathers together to offer prayers to Goddess Laxmi. The puja starts with the cleaning of the house and the preparation of the puja room. A small platform is decorated with flowers, fruits, and sweets, and a clay pot called kalash is placed on top of it. The kalash is filled with water, coins, and grains, and is covered with a coconut and mango leaves.

After the preparation is complete, the family members sit in front of the puja room and offer prayers to the goddess. The puja is performed with the help of a priest or the eldest member of the family. The priest chants mantras and performs various rituals to invoke the goddess and seek her blessings. People offer flowers, sweets, and fruits to the goddess, and light diyas and incense sticks to create a peaceful and auspicious atmosphere.

After the puja is completed, people exchange gifts and sweets with their friends and family. The atmosphere is filled with joy and happiness as people celebrate the blessings of the goddess of wealth. People also go out to visit their relatives and friends and exchange greetings and gifts.

In addition to the traditional puja rituals, Laxmi Puja is also associated with various cultural practices and traditions. People prepare traditional sweets like rasgullas, laddus, and barfis for the occasion. They also decorate their houses with colorful rangolis and light diyas and candles to create a festive ambiance. Fireworks and crackers are also set off to celebrate the occasion.

Laxmi Puja is not just a celebration of wealth and prosperity but also a celebration of the values of love, compassion, and gratitude. It is a time to reflect on the importance of family, community, and tradition. The festival brings people together and strengthens their bonds of love and affection. It is a time to express gratitude for the blessings of life and to seek the blessings of the goddess of wealth for a prosperous future.

The fourth day of Tihar is Mha Puja or Govardhan Puja or Goru Tihar. On this day, people worship Lord Krishna and his miraculous feat of lifting the Govardhan Hill to save the people of Vrindavan from heavy rains. People also make a mountain of cow dung, which symbolizes the Govardhan Hill, and worship it with flowers and incense. This tradition is based on the belief that offering respect to Lord Krishna will bring good luck and prosperity.

Mha Puja is an important aspect of the Tihar Festival in Nepal, particularly among the Newari community. It is celebrated on the fourth day of the festival, which falls on the day of the new moon in the month of Kartik (October/November) according to the lunar calendar. Mha Puja is a celebration of the self and is a way of expressing gratitude and thanksgiving for the blessings of life.

Mha Puja is a Newari term that means 'worship of the self'. The puja is performed to purify and rejuvenate the soul and is believed to bring good health, happiness, and prosperity. The puja is performed by every member of the family, including the women, children, and the elderly.

The preparations for Mha Puja start a day before the actual event. People clean their homes and decorate them with colorful rangolis and flowers. They also prepare a special dish called 'sagun' which consists of boiled eggs, black gram, and meat. The dish is offered to the ancestors and is believed to bring good luck and prosperity.

On the day of Mha Puja, a special mandala is created using rice flour and is decorated with flowers and candles. The mandala is then used as a seat for the puja. The family members dress up in traditional attire and sit in front of the mandala. The eldest member of the family then performs the puja with the help of a priest.

The puja begins with the cleansing of the body and the soul. The family members take a ritual bath and wear new clothes. They then sit in front of the mandala and offer prayers to the gods and goddesses. The priest then performs the rituals and chants mantras to invoke the blessings of the gods.

After the puja is completed, the family members perform a ritual called 'sukunda' where they light candles and incense sticks and offer them to the ancestors. The family members then take turns to perform the puja for themselves. They sit in front of the mandala and offer prayers to themselves. They also offer rice, flowers, and incense sticks to themselves.

The ritual of Mha Puja is not just about self-worship but also about expressing gratitude and thanksgiving for the blessings of life. The puja is a way of acknowledging the importance of the self and the need for self-care and self-love. It is a time to reflect on the challenges and triumphs of life and to seek guidance and blessings from the gods and the ancestors.

In addition to the traditional puja rituals, Mha Puja is also associated with various cultural practices and traditions. People prepare traditional dishes like 'woh' and 'chatamari' for the occasion. They also decorate their houses with colorful rangolis and light candles and diyas to create a festive atmosphere. Fireworks and crackers are also set off to celebrate the occasion.

The fifth and final day of Tihar is Bhai Tika or Bhai Dooj. This day is dedicated to the bond between siblings, and sisters apply tika, a red vermillion mark, on their brothers' foreheads and offer them sweets and gifts. Brothers also offer gifts to their sisters and promise to protect them from all harm. This tradition is based on the belief that siblings share an unbreakable bond of love and protection.

During the Tihar festival, people decorate their houses with colorful lights and flowers. They also light diyos, small clay lamps filled with oil, and place them around the house and the yard. Fireworks are also a popular part of the celebrations, with people lighting crackers and other fireworks to add to the festive atmosphere.

Food is a significant part of the Tihar festival, with people preparing traditional Nepali dishes like sel roti, yomari, and chiura. Sweets and fruits are also offered to the goddess Laxmi and exchanged as gifts with relatives and friends.

The Tihar festival is a time of unity and compassion, with people coming together to celebrate and show gratitude. It is a time to reflect on the values of love, kindness, and generosity. The festival also provides an opportunity to strengthen family bonds and deepen relationships with friends and neighbors.

In conclusion, the Tihar festival is an essential part of Nepali culture and tradition. It is a time of joy, gratitude, and unity, where people come together to celebrate the values of love, kindness, and generosity. The festival provides an opportunity to reflect on the importance of family and friends and to strengthen those relationships. Tihar is not just a festival, but a way of life that celebrates the goodness in all of us.