Festival Holidays

Brace yourself for an authentic immersive experience and celebrate one of the most important Hindu festivals – Tihar, the Festival of Lights.

The Hindu Festival of Lights – Tihar – is a five-day festival celebrated each year after the Dashain Festival, during the month of Kartik (October - November).

Tihar starts with the worship of different animals (like crows, dogs and cows), then the worship of the Hindu Goddess of fortune, wealth and prosperity (Goddess Laxmi), and finally ends with an exchange of a special temporary mark on the forehead (tika of seven colors); the last day of the festival is known as “Tika day” or “Bhai Tika day” (Bhai means “younger brother” in Nepali).

Tihar and Crows (1st Day of Tihar) –

Early in the morning, families prepare a good meal. Each member of the family takes the first portion of their meal and puts it on a platter. The crows come and partake of the feast. Crows (“Kaag” in Nepali) are considered to be the messengers of the God of Death, Yama. On this day, crows are worshiped and kept happy.

Tihar and Dogs (2nd Day of Tihar) –

On the second day of Tihar, the dogs ("Kukur" in Nepali) are adorned with flower garlands around their necks and red tika on their foreheads, and are offered great meals. On this day, people pray for the dogs to guard their homes. Tihar is also about breaking the boundaries. Men created The Good, The Bad and The Ugly but we are all the same to Mother Nature! In Hinduism, it is believed that dogs also guard the underworld empire.

Tihar and Cows (3rd Day of Tihar) –

The 3rd day of Tihar is about worshiping the mother of the universe – the Cow. According to Hinduism, the cow acts as a surrogate mother providing milk for the rest of the human life. The cow puja is performed by giving a tika and a flower garland to cows.

Tihar and Laxmi Puja (3rd Day of Tihar) –

One of the most important parts of the festival is Laxmi Puja. The Goddess Laxmi is worshiped in every Nepali houses in the entire country. Puja is performed using flowers, incense, oil lamps, color-powders, bells and money.

Tihar and Myself! (4th Day of Tihar) –

The 4th day of Tihar is about worshiping yourself! This puja is known as Mha puja. One of the popular rituals is the Govardhan puja or Goru Tihar (Worship of Oxen). Oxen are worshiped on this day as they till lands and help crops grow to sustain life on earth.

Tihar and Tika / Bhai Tika (5th and Final Day of Tihar) –

On the last day of Tihar, sisters give a “tika” (seven color powders are placed on the forehead) and a mala (a necklace of flowers) to their brothers, and wish them long life and prosperity. Brothers sit on the floor while sisters perform their pujas.