Tihar: A festival of lights (with photos)

KATHMANDU: Tihar is a light festival. Tihar is also known as the festival of lights. Various types of lights and lamps add to the festival’s vibrancy. It makes it more enjoyable.

Laxmi Puja, Tihar, is celebrated today throughout the country by worshiping Laxmi, the goddess of wealth. On the first day of Yamapanchak, the festival begins with Kaag Tihar and concludes with Bhai Tika on the last day.

Tihar, also known as Diwali or Deepawali, is the second most important festival in Nepal after Dashain. It usually takes place during the Nepali Kartik month (Oct-Nov in the Solar Calendar) and lasts five days.

People honor crows, dogs, and bulls, as well as Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and luck, during this festival. Tihar is also known as the festival of lights as many candles and festive lanterns will be lit in honor of the Goddess of Laxmi.

Meanwhile, people observe festivals in accordance with their caste and social traditions.

Today, Kukur (dog) Tihar is celebrated by worshiping dogs and in the evening performing Laxmi Puja. During Tihar, houses are specially decorated. The house is alive with the flickering of lights and various flowers.

Until decades ago, Tihar was celebrated with pomp and ceremony by lighting lamps on clay pots and banana strings.

However, with the change of time, the trend of celebrating Tihar has also changed. Nowadays, electric lights are used more and more to make Tihar a bright festival. Its shimmer makes Tihar even more fun.

Pictures taken from various places in the valley on the eve of Laxmi Puja:

-Saroj Basnet/MK