KATHMANDU: Brushing off a controversy over the time and date for Bhai Tika (the last day of Yam Panchak, National Calendar Authorisation Committee announced that the day would fall on October 19 this year.

At a press meet in

the capital, today, president of NCAC appealed all to clear the confusion. “There should

be no illusion regarding the date.

Bhai Tika falls on the second day of the dark moon nights so there is no doubt about the day being October 19.” According to him, the auspicious time to offer and receive Tika is 10:10 am onwards on November 19 (Kartik 2). While 11:53 am, is the most auspicious time.

However, Newa Jagaran Manch (NJM) has flayed the decision of NCAC, which it said

was against the tradition of Kulachar and Lokachar. NCAC has challenged the mythology of Dharma Sindhu and Nirnaya Sindhu, alleged the Manch. “As per Nepal Sambat, November 19 marks the New Year day of the sambat and Bhai Tika falls on the second day i.e. November 20 (Kartik 3),” claimed NJM.

NJM further demanded that the New Year

day and the day following be declared public holidays. NJM has

also threatened of stir

if the demands were

not met. “We will

shut down business

facilities, educational institutions, government and non-government offices except

for transportation service if the government fails to fulfil our demands,” NJM stated.