KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 3

President Ramchandra Paudel received the Bhaitika from his sisters, Sharada Pandit and Chanda Ojha, at the auspicious hour of 11:37 am at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, Shital Niwas, in celebration of Bhaitika today.

In keeping with tradition, the President's sisters applied the ceremonial tika on his forehead and presented him with customary gifts, including walnuts and peanuts. Likewise, the President applied tika on his sisters' foreheads and gave them a monetary gift, honoring the age-old custom.

The ceremonial tika features a thick vertical line of white rice flour paste topped with a seven-colored mark.

The Nepal Calendar Determination Committee designated 11:37 am today as the most auspicious time for the Bhaitika rituals, although the Committee noted that the rituals could be performed throughout the day.

On Bhaitika, the final and central day of the five-day Yamapanchak or Tihar festival-Nepal's second largest festival-sisters traditionally apply tika on their brothers' foreheads, who reciprocate the ritual.