KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 11 Bhai Tika, the final day of the five-day Tihar festival, is being observed across the country today, with the auspicious time for receiving the tika set for 11:07am. The Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Development Committee said Bhai Tika can be observed throughout the day, but 11:07am is considered the most auspicious time for those following the prescribed timing. State officials, however, have been advised to receive tika at the auspicious hour. Bhai Tika is observed on Kartik Shukla Dwitiya, when sisters put multicoloured tika and garlands on their brothers and wish them longevity, good health and prosperity. Brothers subsequently honour their sisters with tika and gifts. The festival is also known as Yama Dwitiya. This year, sisters giving tika are advised to face east and brothers receiving it to face west so that the Moon in Scorpio remains to the right. The Moon is scheduled to enter Scorpio this morning after remaining in Libra earlier in the day, according to the committee. On the occasion, sisters worship the lamps, kalash and Ganesh idol established during Laxmi Puja, followed by rituals dedicated to the eight Chiranjeevis and deities including Yama, Yamuna, Dharma Raja and Chitragupta. They then place tika and garlands of makhamali, marigold and chrysanthemum on their brothers and offer traditional foods including walnuts, chestnuts, spices and sel roti. Brothers traditionally give their sisters clothes and cash according to their means. Bal Gopalashwor temple opens for those without siblings The Bal Gopalashwor Temple in the middle of Rani Pokhari will be open to devotees who do not have sisters or brothers. The temple is opened only once a year, on Bhai Tika, allowing such devotees to perform worship and receive tika. Kathmandu Metropolitan City spokesperson Nabin Manandhar said preparations had been completed to open the temple for devotees from Wednesday morning. The Khangjaneshwor Mahadev Temple at Jayabagishwori also receives devotees without siblings on Bhai Tika. According to cultural expert and Guthi Sansthan chair Dr Govinda Tandan, people without brothers or sisters traditionally gathered at the temple before the Bal Gopalashwor Temple was regularly opened. The Bal Gopalashwor Temple was regularly opened after 2035 BS. It was damaged in the 2015 earthquake and remained closed for reconstruction until 2020, when it was reopened to devotees. The Newar community observes the day as Kija Puja. Ritual dates vary according to family traditions, while most Newar communities in Bhaktapur observed Kija Puja on Tuesday following the decision of the priests and astrologers of Taleju Temple.