Kag
Tihar
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| a crow is eating food |
The
first day of the festival is called Kag Tihar or Kag Puja (worship of the
crows). The crows are worshipped by offerings of sweets and dishes on the roof
of the houses. The cawing of the crows symbolises sadness and grief in the
Hindu mythology, so the devotees offer the crows food to avert grief and deaths
in their homes. Tihar in Nepal and Diwali in India represent the divine
attachment between Human and other animals and birds in our nature.We worship
crow before having our meal.We feed the crow during this day as god. To strengthen
the worship of nature, all these rituals are introduced in Hinduism.
Kukur
Tihar
The
second day is called Kukur Tihar or Kukur Puja (worship of the dogs). It is
also called as Khicha Puja by the Newars.Dog, which is believed to be messenger
of Lord Yamaraj, the god of death, is worshiped once a year on this day.People
offer garlands, teeka and delicious food to the dogs, and acknowledge the
cherished relationship between humans and the dogs.This day is also observed as
Narak Chaturdashi.
Gai
Tihar and Laxmi Puja
On
the morning of the third day is Gai Tihar (worship of the cow) is observed. In
Hinduism, the cow is sign of prosperity and wealth. In ancient times people
benefitted a lot from the cow like its milk, dung even its urine was used for
kind of purification. Thus on this day people showed their gratefulness to the
cow by garlanding and feeding the cow with the best grass. Houses are cleaned
and the doorways and windows are decorated with garlands made of marigolds and
chrysanthemums.
In
the evening Laxmi, the goddess of wealth is thanked for all the benefits that
were bestowed on the families by lighting oil lamps or candles on doorways and
windows to welcome prosperity and well being. At night the girls enjoy dancing
and visiting all the houses of the village with many musical instruments
playing a historical game called Bhailo all night long. They collect money from
all the houses by singing and dancing and share the sweets and money amongst
themselves.
From
the third day onwards Tihar is especially famous for Deusi and Bhailo, light
and fireworks. Deusi and Bhailo are the songs which have only been sung on
those Tihar days. The Deusi is mostly sung by the boys while the Bhailo is sung
by the girls. Social workers, young and children visit local homes to sing
these songs, and in return the home owners give them money, fruit, rice and
Selroti (a special type of Nepali bread made by rice flour and sugar).
Gobardhan
Puja and Mha: Puja
On
the fourth day of Tihar, there are three different known pujas, depending on
the people's specific cultural background. Most perform Goru Tihar or Goru Puja
(worship of the oxen). People who follow Krishna perform Gobardhan Puja, which
is worship towards Cowdung. Cowdung is seen as very useful in Nepal, as in the olden
days it was used for everything from light at night (Methane) to polish for the
mud floors of traditional houses. The Newar community on the night of this day
do Mha: Puja (worship of self). Because this period is also the beginning of
Nepal Sambat, or the new year of Nepalese especially commemorated by Newars, it
ensures prosperity for the new year.
Bhai
Tika
The
fifth and last day of Tihar is Bhai Tika, a day where sisters put tika on
foreheads of brothers, to ensure long life, and thank them for the protection they
give.When the sisters give the tika, the brothers give gifts or money in
return. A special garland is made for the brothers out of a flower that wilts
only after a couple of months, symbolizing the sister's prayer for her
brother's long life. This festival brings close relationship between brothers
and sisters.
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