Tyohar or Tihar (Laxmi Puja / Diwali):

- This festival is generally celebrated a fort night after Vijaya Dasami. Tihar, the festival of lights is one of the most dazzling of all Hindu festivals. In this festival we worship Goddess Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth. During the festival all the houses in the city and villages are decorated with lit oil lamps. Thus during the night the entire village or city looks like a sparkling diamond. This festival is celebrated in five days starting from the thirteenth day of the waning moon in October. We also refer to tihar as 'Panchak Yama, which literally means 'the five days of the underworld lord'. We also worship 'yamaraj' in different forms in these five days. In other words this festival is meant for life and prosperity. Goddess Laxmi is the wife of almighty Lord Vishnu. She was formed from the ocean and she has all the wealth of the seas. She sits on a full-grown lotus and her steed is the owl. On the third day of the festival at the stroke of midnight she makes a world tour on her owl looking how she is worshipped. According to some legend it commemorates the return of

Festival

legendary Rama after completing fourteen years of exile. He reached his kingdom during dark moonless night of Aausni and hence to light up the way people lighted butter lamps, which is observed till day. It is also believed that Rama was then coroneted as the King of Ayodhya, which bought all kinds of happiness. The people became prosperous with all kinds of material wealth and peace prevailed all over the Kingdom. Thus, came the practice of worshipping Laxmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity. There is also another story, which tells why this revelry is celebrated so widely. Once there was a king, who was living his last days of life. His astrologer had told him that a serpent would come and take his life away. The king did not want to die so he has asked the astrologer if there was any way to escape death. The king was

Goddess Laxmi

advised to sleep with lit oil lamps all around his bed and decorate the palace with oil lamps on laxmi puja day. So goddess laxmi would talk to the serpent not to take his life. It did happen, the serpent was convinced by goddess laxmi. The serpent took the

king to Yama Raj and told him that it was not yet the king's time to come to the underworld. So Yama Raj opened his ledger and in it the kings remaining age was written zero, but the serpent cleverly put seven before zero. Thus the king lived for seventy more years. So onwards tihar is widely celebrated worshipping the underworld and goddess laxmi. The first day of tihar is known as 'Kag tihar', crows day. Crow is an underworld henchman. On this day crows are offered food on a plate made out of leaves in the morning before anyone in the house takes in food. Crow the messenger of death is honored on the first day of tihar. The second day is called 'Kukur tihar', dogs day. A dog plays many roles in our society. We have dogs in our houses as guardian of the house. As the legend also says that there is a dog at yama's gate guarding the gate to the underworld. The dog is also the steed of the fearful Bhairab, the god of destruction. So on this day a big red tika is put on a dog's forehead and a beautiful garland

Crow

Preparing for Bhai Tika

around the neck. After worshipping the dog, it is given very delicious meal. This day the saying 'every dog has his day' comes true; for even a stray dog is looked upon with respect. We pray to the dog to guard our house as he guards the gate of the underworld and to divert destruction away from our homes. On this day you can see dogs running around with garlands on their neck in Sikkim. The third day is the most important day of the festival. It is called 'Laxmi puja', the day when we worship goddess of wealth. On this day, early in the morning the cow is worshipped. Tika is put on her head and a garland around her neck then she feasts with delicious food. A cow also symbolizes wealth and she is the most holy animal for Hindus. In the evening goddess laxmi is worshipped. Days before the house are cleansed and decorated. For goddess likes clean and tidy places. In the evening a small potion of the house out side the main door is painted red with red mud and an oil lamp is lit on it. A pathway is made from here

to the place where the old money box and valuables are kept in the house that is the puja room. All the Nepalese have a box where from generation to generation money is put every year worshipping goddess laxmi. This money is never used unless

Bhai Tika

extreme emergency. The entire house is decorated with lit oil lamps in every doors and windows. Laxmi, goddess of wealth is worshipped performing the traditional rituals and when the rituals are over then gambling in the house starts. This is a festival when gambling is not illegal. On this day throughout the evening groups of girls come to houses singing song of praise of the goddess (popularly known as bhailani group) and they are taken as guests and given gifts, there is a special song for this occasion. This day the entire place is lively through out the night. The fourth day is bit different. Today the things you worship depend on your specific cultural background. Normally most of the people perform 'Guru puja', ox worshipping. On this day throughout the evening groups of boys come to houses singing song (popularly known as Dause group) . They are taken as guests and given gifts

(mainly money). The ox is worshipped with tika, garland and then a delicious meal is fed to it. On the other hand people who follow lord Krishna perform 'Gobhardan puja'. These people build a small hill made out of cow dung and put some grass on it then do puja on it. This puja symbolizes the act of lord Krishna when he lifted the gobhardan hill and saved millions of people and cows from floodwater. The last day of tihar is 'Bhai tika', putting tika on your brothers by your sisters. Bhai Tika: - The festival is celebrated on the fifth and final day of the Festival of Light which is called Diwali in India and 'Tihar' or 'Panchak Yama' in Nepal. As Bhai Tika is celebrated as a part of the Tihar celebrations the festival is also famously known as 'Bhai Tihar'. Brothers and sisters desperately wait for the arrival of this joyous festival. Sister's apply sacred tika on brother's forehead and pray to Lord Yama, the God of Death, for his long life and prosperity. Popular legend behind Bhai: Tika narrates the story of Lord Yamaraj and his twin sister Yamuna. When after a gap

Tika

Offering Garland in Bhai Tika

of several years Yamaraj visited his sister on the auspicious 'Dooj' Day he was received warmly by Yami. She applied tilak on his forehead, performed arti of him and gave a sumptuous meal to eat. Delighted with sister's warmth and affection Yamaraj announced that anyone who visits his sister on Dooj day and eats a meal with her would never be hurled to hell. Nepali people also believe a popular tale that says a sister saved his brother's life from the clutches of Yamraj by applying a sacred tilak on her brother's forehead. Since then the festival is being religiously celebrated in Nepal. On this day sisters invite brother and his family to her house. Following the rituals of Bhai Tika sister draws three mandaps or boundaries at a selected place. These boundaries symbolize Lord Ganesh, Janmaraj (the God of Birth) and Yamaraj respectively. She then performs Puja of the deities and makes the brother sit on a mat. In Nepal, a unique 'Paanch Rangi Tika' i.e. a tika consisting of five colours (red, green, blue, yellow and white) is lovingly applied by sister on the forehead of brother. Sister prays for brother's long life and draws a

Lord Rama

boundary (mandap) around her brothers with oil using doob grass. This means that no one including Yamaraj can cross the boundary guarded by sister's love. Sister gives a 'shagun' of fruits, sweets and some gifts to brother and after the ceremonies are over brother blesses sister and pamper her with loads of Bhai Tika Gifts.

Dipawali or Tihar as called normally is the fesdtival of lights. Celebrated on the dark nights of Kartik Krishna Trayodashi, Chaturdashi, Aunsi, Sukla Pratipada and the Dwitiya, the five days are the days of the last three dark nights before new moon and the last two days are the beginning days of the full moon, symbolosing the progression from the dark towards light .... tamasoma Jyotirgamaya. Though all the Hindus celebrate this festival, for Nepalis it is second greatest festival to Dashain celebrated a month ago. The five day celebration, also called called Deepmalaika or Panchak, the five days dedicated to the god of death Yama, is also celebrated by worshipping crow, dog, cow, oxen and finally to the brothers. Culture is a practical aspect of life, where people celebrate certain festivals or honour certain people and birds animals or nature like rivers and mountain for their contribution. Tihar is more a festival of fun and respecting relationships than religion. The first day of the festival, Kartik Krishna Trayodashi, the thirteenth day of the wanning moon of Kartik, according to the Lunar calendar, is popularly called Kag Tihar, a day to worship crow. On this day crow, the messanger of Yamaraj, the god of death, according to the Puranic legends, is worshipped and offered delicacies. Hindu scriptures have respected every living being as a form of god himself. Soul is the god and a body is a vehicle or like clothes that is changed every time a being dies, explains Hindu philosophy. Every living being is mortal. So, death should also be celebrated as the being will get new vehicle or cloth and come back to earth again.

To the modern day people environment is a prime concern and worshipping of birds and the animal is an ancient Hindu way environmental preservation. The second day is called Kukur Tihar, a day to worship dog. Dog is a faithful animal and has a lots of associations with human. Dog, according to the Hindu scriptures, is also a messenger of the god of death, Yamaraj. On the same day, Puran has it that Lord shree Krishna killed Narakasur, a demon. So the day is also called Narak Chaturdashi. The rivers are flooded by the light flowed by the people in the dawn, called Narke bagaunu. On the third day, the new moon day of the dark nights, people worship Laxmi, the goddess of wealth by lighting oil-lamps and candles in and around the houses. The dark night seems lively on the earth due to the flickering lights all over. It seems that all the heavenly twinkling stars are fallen to the earth and are spread over on the earth. In the morning the cow, also regarded as mother by the Hindu scriptures is worshipped and offered various deluicacieas. In the evening, the goddess of wealth is worshipped for wealth and prosperity that are essential on earth and keep vigil. The girls in a group visit door-to-door asking alms in the name of Bali, a Puranic demon. It is called Bhailini. On the forth day of Tihar, Kartik Sukla Pratipada people worship Govardin Hill made of cow dung. So, the day is celebrated as the Govardhan Puja. According to the tradition cows and oxen are also worshipped this day. Puranas have it that, the inhabitants of Gokul, in Dwapara Yug, used to worship Lord Indra the raingod for their farming

activities. But Lord Krishna manage to redirect their worship to Govardhan hill. Lord Indira took The village was Krishna for help. on his finger to rain. this as an insult. And sent torrential rainfall. nearly drowned. The people in Gokul asked The Lord lifted Govardhan Hill as an Umbrella save village and the people from the heavy And the tradition of

Lord Indra repented for his act. worshipping Govardhan Hill started.

Agricultural countries like Nepal depend pretty much on oxen and cows. According to a Hindu Scriputre- Barsha Kriya, oxen are worshipped with Bali Raja- a puranic demon King. The locals in the Kathmandu valley celebrate Mha-Puja. In the evening Newars celebrate Mha Puja worshipping their own self with varieties of sweets, fruits, flowers, egg, fish etc. In Nepal Mandal this puja has great importance. Soul is the real God. And Body is the physical from of it. Thus we have to honour our body. Soul never dies and never borns only the body dies and the body is a vehicle of soul. On this day people take bath, cleanse themselves and worship -first to the Mandap, they have made on the ground, then they take Tika and worship the self by offering fried eggs. The elder woman of the family performs it first then the others follow. The self is worshipped for longevity and healthy life. On this day the new year of Nepal Sambat starts. A noble called Sankhadar Sakwa lived 1121 years ago in Kathmandu valley. The farmers at that time being very poor had lost of debt from the merchants. Sankhadhar Sakhwa generously paid all the debts, and the farmers started celebrating the day to mark their new life as the New Year.

Nepal Sambat was in practice till Malla regin in Kathmandu valley. The government has declared Sankhadhar Sakhwa, the National Hero. In the evening male folks visit their neighbourhood in the groups singing Deusi and asking for alms in the name of Bali Raja. This is a unique tradition in Nepali society. All the family members in the houses wait for these youngsters to visit their houses and sing Deusi. In the dark night the lights are seen twinkling in and around every household. The Deusi song can be heard here and there. The children are busy enjoying fire-crackers, and lighting Deeps. That makes Tihar even more enjoyable.

Tihar: Bhai Tika, celebrating sister-and brotherhood

YamaRaj - the God of Death is praised: O brother of yamuna, Dharmaraj I bow to you. Oh son of the sun! Protect me. You are kind to the honest and feared by the dishonest. You diminish the proud. You're the death of death. I bow to thee! Though I have committed many sins I am your devotee. So, forgive me. The Kartik sukla Dwitiya is celebrated as the auspicious day of Bhai Tika wishing all the brothers a happy, healthy and prosperous life. The worshipping of crows, Dogs, Cow, Yamaraj and Laxmi in Tihar is a metaphorical representation but the worshipping Brothers is one of the practical aspect of social harmony preached by the Hindu philosophy.

On this day sisters worship their brothers by putting fivecolour Tika on their forehead and garlanding them with velvet flowers, wishing them longevity and good health. Once a sister was worshipping her brother. But yamaraj came to take him cause his life was at the end. The sister prayed Yamaraj and asked him for a boon to grant the life of her brother till the oil on the ground of the puja Mandap the velvet garland and the pimple a fruit dries and the water washes walnut. Yamaraj granted all the wishes and the brother got the longevity. Till date velvet flower garland, pimple fruit, and walnuts are offered to the brothers along with various fruits and delicious sweets and Sel a special sweet made for Tihar. Brothers offer presents in return. Brothers, who have no sister and sisters, who have no brothers visit the Mahadev temple in the middle of Ranipokhari pond, in Kathmandu this day. The worshipping of yamaraj the God of death reminds all that one who is born has to die. One should not forget invincible death. People worship Laxmi cause without money one cannot live a comfortable life. And Mha-puja - the Self is worshipped as God - Aham Brahmhasmi. In the social interpretation Bhai Tika symbolises sister and brotherhood. Practical and the spiritual blends are deeply rooted in our society. Each of our festivals has spiritul, traditional and culture values. Talking Tihar
Its all lights and magic, swings and singing

by SHASHANK SHRESTHA
FROM ISSUE # 130 (October 2006) | IN THIS ISSUE

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The five-day Tihar extravaganza of diyos, deusi, devi-devatas forms, along with Dasain, an enviable festive double bill. The lights, decorationsand mind-numbing fireworkssignal jolliness, celebration and goodwill. Days of light The festival starts usually after worshipping Ganesh, the elephant-headed god of prosperity. The days that follow worship the crow, the dog, the goddess of wealth Lakshmi, the cow and the bull, culminating in Bhai tika, when sisters pray for the long life of their brothers. This is the rough outline, but there are plenty of regional and traditional variations in how Tihar is celebrated: The day before Lakshmi Puja, practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine observe Dhanbantari diwas, when they revere the founder of their craft. In the tarai the same day is celebrated by the business community as Dhanteras, by buying jewellery, or at least a metal pot. Lakshmi Puja marks the end of the accounting year for more religious businessmen. Newars observe Mha Puja, the start of the Newar New Year, which is ushered in with self-worship for prosperity and good fortune. On Bhai Tika, Kayathas of the tarai worship their ancestral Lord Chitragupta, who keeps the ledger of human deeds, evil and just. Once a year Kathmandu's Rani Pokhari is open to the general public so siblings can celebrate tika there. In the tarai, the festival is observed until Chatta parva, a four-day celebration and worship of the sun, Chhathi Mai, and accompanied by fasting and penance. The constant is lights, and people go for dizzying combinations of flashing lights, or traditional diyos and candles. (WAVE recommends traditional diyos as the most aesthetically pleasing and green alternative.) Deusi and bhailo remain popular, though some opt to rig up speakers and stages, but this isn't as much fun as being part of a roving troupe. Festive fables The most popular Tihar story has Rama returning to Ayodhya at the end of his 12-year exile in the woods

and eventual victory over Ravana, and being welcomed with lights. Also popular is the myth of the defeat of the demon Mahishasur by Durga. She was so ecstatic, she danced in a frenzy that threatened to destroy the universe. To calm her, a grand feast was prepared, with decorations and brightly-lit courtyards. A lesserknown myth is about Bali, a great king sent to the netherworld for excessive devotion to Vishnu, who was allowed to visit his kingdom for five days a yearcelebrated as Tihar. Deusi and bhailo songs often refer to this story. Crows, dogs, and bulls are given days to themselves because they are the messengers of Yamaraj, the god of death, and must be appeased. Threads are tied to cows' tails to ease the soul's journey into the afterlife. Lakshmi Puja needs little explanation, but the story goes that the goddess of wealth was summoned into this world through a massive churning of the ocean. Govardhan puja is important to Krishna devotees, marking the time when he sheltered his village from rain and flooding by holding up the Govardhan mountain with his little finger. Bhai Tika has its roots in the story of a sister who obtained a boon from Yamaraj that her brother would not be harmed until his garland of flowers dried and the line she drew around him vaporised. When Yamaraj came to claim the brother's soul, she had him surrounded in a circle of oil and adorned him with a garland of betel flowers, forcing Yamaraj to prolong his life. And then there's gambling. This is the one week of the year when you can gamble legally and participate in langurburja betting in all kinds of seedy alleyway dens.

Sel Roti (Fermented rice product)

Ingredients (Serves 8 to 10)

1 kg: Rice 250 gm: Wheat flour 500 ml: Milk 200 gm: Sugar 100 gm: Ghee

Method
1. Wash and soak rice overnight; pound into fine powder. 2. The rice flour supplemented with butter, sugar and some spices are made into batter by adding milk and 2 cups of water, and allowed to ferment for between 4 h during summer and 24 h during winter at room temperature.

3. The leavened batter is squeezed by hand and deposited as continuous ring onto hot edible oil till they become gold brown.

4.

Sel roti is served as staple confectionery bread with Shimi ko achar and mutton curry.

Sel roti is a homemade circular-shaped bread prepared during Tihar, a widely celebrated Hindu festival in Nepal. It is made of rice flour with adding customized flavors. A semi liquid rice flour dough is usually prepared by adding milk, water, sugar, butter, cardamam, clove and other flavors of personal choice. The ingredients are mixed well by stirring. Once the semi liquid dough is ready, it is poured by hand on homemade shortening in circular shape and cooked on low heat until it turns light brown on both sides. The smell of Sel Roti spreads all over the house and adds festive mood. The smell gets family members to run to the kitchen to have first bite of the festival. Sel Roti are cooked in bulk and can be stored on room temperature for a couple of months. Sel roti are often sent as special gifts to family members living away from home.