Kathmandu:

For most of us Tihar means diyas, sweets, flowers, new clothes and fun. Earlier Tihar also meant bursting of crackers but in recent years due to air and noise pollution, this activity has lessened to a large degree.

What does Tihar or Dipawali celebrate? Tihar is the popular name for Yamapanchak, meaning five days of Yama, the god of death, and is celebrated for five days.

Crows are worshiped on the first day as these birds are considered to be the messengers of death. The second day is observed as Kukur Tihar whereby dogs, said to be the gatekeepers of hell, are worshiped and fed in order to ease the journey of soul after death to Yama’s kingdom for his judgement.

The third day is set aside for Laxmi puja or the worship of the goddess of wealth. In the morning, cow, the earthly manifestation of goddess Laxmi, is worshiped and offered food. The sacred thread tied on wrists during rakshabandan is tied to the cow’s tail in the belief that this will help the soul gain entry into heaven. In the evening, goddess Laxmi and one’s wealth are worshiped.

People decorate their homes with flowers and light them up with lights, diyas, candles, to welcome Laxmi. It is generally believed that Laxmi is roaming the earth from the last day of Dashain or the kojagrat purnima, and will enter the house that is most brightly lit and beautifully decorated.

On this day, girls and women go singing bhaileni to houses and are gifted with money and other edibles. Although all types of sweets are bought nowadays, selroti, which is special to this festival, is prepared at most houses.

The fourth day’s celebrations differ depending on one’s culture. The oxen are worshiped and gobardhan parwat (a miniature hillock made of cow dung) are worshiped on this day commemorating the days when lord Krishna saved the lives of humans and animals by holding high the entire Gobardhan parwat on his hand during a flood.

In the evening, boys and men go singing deusi and are given money and roti. People even gamble and play cards. Gambling during Tihar is not considered illegal. The Newar community marks this day with mha puja or the worship of one’s own body. The consciousness inside a human body is represented as a mandala — patterns made out of coloured rice flour — and a lone diya is lit in the middle and worshiped to purify the heart and soul, and ensure good health throughout the year. “Newar community of Patan, Bhaktapur, Kirtipur and Kathmandu celebrate jatras and festivals particular to their place, however mha puja is something that all Newars celebrate as a common festival,” says cultural expert Satya Mohan Joshi.

This day also marks the beginning of Nepal Sambat, the newari New Year. “Sometime around October 20, 879, (the transition period between Malla and Lichhavi periods) Shankhadhar, a big merchant during Lichhavi period, was allowed to start the Nepal Sambat for paying off the debts of all people,” says Kashi Nath Tamoth, another cultural expert.

November 2 will mark the beginning of Nepal Sambat 1126.

The final day is bhaitika, when sisters worship their brothers for their longlife, good health and prosperity. Sisters mark their brothers’ foreheads with seven-coloured tika, and put on flower garlands and offer roti, dry fruits, fruits and sweets. Brothers in turn present sisters with money and other gifts.

According to legends, basically three colours are used for the tika — a vertical white line in the middle, red one on the right and a blue on the left side. But people now put tika of seven colours.

There are many legends associated with bhaitika. According to the Puranas, Yamuna, Yama’s sister had to descend to the earth because of her stepmother’s curse. Yama came looking for her and when he found her, he stayed at Yamuna’s place for five days. At his farewell, she worshiped him and put tika on his forehead.

This is how the tradition of celebrating bhaitika began. It is generally believed that due to Yama’s blessings, no one will die on bhaitika day. On this day, the Rani Pokhari temple also is also thrown open, especially for people who do not have either brothers or sisters.