Bhaitika today, auspicious time from 11.45 am

Kathmandu, October 29:

Sisters throughout the country are offering bhaitika to their brothers tomorrow wishing them happiness, long life and prosperity.

The auspicious hour for offering bhaitika is between 11:45 am to 11:55 am, according to the Panchanga Nirnayak Samiti.

On this day, sisters worship brothers by making a circle of mustard oil around them. They then offer tika and garlands of Makhamali.

The occasion commemorates a legend in which a sister got a blessing from Yama, the god of death, that her brother would not die until the mustard oil dried up and the garland of Makhamali faded.

After putting colourful tika on the foreheads of their brothers, sisters offer them a treat consisting mainly of varieties of sweets and spices. Brothers also offer their sisters tika, wishing them happiness and good luck, and give them presents.

The tradition of bhaitika is so strong in Nepali society that even those who do not have brothers or sisters receive tika from others. Those who do not have brothers and sisters also visit the temple located in the centre of Ranipokhari. The temple opens to the public once a year on the bhaitika.