Nepal’s second largest festival, Tihar begins

KATHMANDU: The second largest Hindu festival, Yama Panchak (commonly known as Tihar), officially begins today, starting on the 13th day of the waning moon in the Nepali month of Kartik.

The festival period, lasting five days, starts today, as the Dwadashi (12th day) tithi extends until 11:01 am, after which the Trayodashi (13th day) tithi begins, marking the first day of Tihar celebrations.

According to the Nepal Panchang Decision Development Committee, Dhanteras, also known as Dhantrayodashi, should be observed today, following the onset of the Kartik Krishna Trayodashi at 11:01 am.

This year, Yamadeepdan will start on Wednesday, and Kaag Tihar, which falls on the 14th of Kartik, also aligns with Wednesday, as informed by committee chairperson Prof. Shrikrishna Adhikari. As per traditional customs, Dhanteras or Dhantrayodashi is observed when Trayodashi tithi falls in the morning, while Yamadeepdan is observed when Trayodashi is present during the evening hours.

“It has been decided in accordance with the shastra that Yamadeepdan begins in the evening of Trayodashi, while Kaag Tihar is observed in the morning when Trayodashi overlaps with sunrise,” Adhikari explained.

The five days of Yamadeepdan are traditionally believed to offer freedom from the torments of Yama, the god of death. Dhanvantari Jayanti will also fall on Wednesday, the 14th of Kartik, as confirmed by Prof. Adhikari. Due to the shifts in the lunar calendar, Kukur Tihar and Laxmi Puja will both be observed on Thursday this year.

Yamadeepdan is performed based on the number of family members, and according to religious scholar Prof. Dr. Ram Chandra Gautam, the lamps for Yamadeepdan should be placed facing south. The traditional ritual is performed from Kartik Krishna Trayodashi to Kartik Shukla Dwitiya, which is the day of Bhai Tika.

On the morning of Thursday, Kartik 15, during the Arunodaya period, people perform Narak Snan (a ritual bath) before celebrating Kukur Tihar. Laxmi Puja will be performed in the evening. During Narak Snan, devotees take a ritual bath with a herb called Apamarga before sunrise, which is believed to absolve them from suffering in Narak (hell) as per shastra.

On Kartik 15, Thursday, the Chaturdashi tithi will last until 3:14 pm, followed by the Amavasya tithi, leading to the observance of Laxmi Puja on the same day, as per Prof. Adhikari. The shastra prescribes Laxmi Puja to be held on the evening of Amavasya tithi. This year, Friday, Kartik 16, marks the end of Amavasya tithi at 5:15 pm, with no specific festivals scheduled for this day.

Gai Puja, as well as Govardhan Puja, Bali Puja, and Atma Puja (also known as Mha Puja), fall on Saturday, Kartik 17. According to shastra, cows, bulls, Govardhan, and one’s inner self (Atma) are worshipped on Kartik Shukla Pratipada. This day also marks the start of Nepal Sambat 1145, in line with the traditional belief that the new year should begin on Pratipada when the sunrise coincides with the day’s beginning.