The second biggest festival in Nepal, “Tihar” will start from November 3, 2021 . Pretty soon, the streets will be filled with dogs adorned with garlands fed delicious food bellyful, every foundation beaming with bright lights. The five-days festival is celebrated in this following order:
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Crow Festival
The first day is meant for Crows also known as the messenger. Small portion of food is left on the terrace for crows.
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Dog Puja (worship)
The second day of Tihar is “Kukur – “meaning dog in Nepali” Puja”. In the auspicious day, dogs are adored with garlands, red colored and yellow colored tika and served with delicious food. A cause for celebration, people donated over 3 Lakh Nepalese rupees in 2017 and 18, while for 2020, they accumulated US$2,540 for Animal Nepal and Shree’s Animal Rescue Nepal.
Why do Nepalese-origin celebrate Dog Festival?
Well the story dates back to centuries, Mahabharat based on epic Sanskrit stories. The premises of Mahabaharat revoles around Lord Krishna, Pandavs, Kauravas, Karma and more. One incident in the story depicts the significance of pups. Especially dog as it is stated by ABC science Nepal and Mongolia are among the first to domesticate them.
Back to the story, the five brothers, Pandavas along with their wife Draupadi were climbing the Himalayas. The first brother among the Pandavas, Yudhishthira and his dog perish along the way. They come across King of gods, Indira, the god welcomed, Yudhishthira to heaven but in one condition. He has to leave the dog behind. But Yudhishthira refused to enter the gates without his dog, relatable isn’t it ? Impressed by his action Indira replaces the dog with Yama, the god of death. Hence, dog are regarded as the messenger of Yama. Indira opened the gates of heaven for Yudhishthira and Yama.
So, there is a belief, dogs guards us in the journey after life. They show worshippers the way to heaven and protect them along the way.
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Cow puja in the morning, Laxmi (goddesses of money) is worshipped at night
In the third day, Cow is worshipped much like the canines, with garlands, tikas and delicious meal. Also considered as, the mythical entity as a vehicle or vahan, for goddess of money, Laxmi. Later in the evening, Laxmi is worshipped with sweets, money, garlands, flowers and more. It is a whole spread of colorful items on the Puja thali (also called plate). The house is made spotless, so that Laxmi enters the house and brings in wealth with her.
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Fourth day
Depending on your background, the fourth day is celebrated in different way. Either by worshipping ox, mountains, self (also known as: Maha Puja, (Maha newari word meaning self while Puja means worship, )self worship day.
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Fifth day
In this day, sisters spend the day, worshipping their brothers, meanwhile exchanging gifts, sweets, foods and more.
Every day starting the third celebration, the homes are dazzled with lights, Diyo (oil lamp, cotton wick dipped in ghee) flowers, colorful patterns (traditional, art made by colors, Rangoli) and delicious smelling snacks.
I hope you enjoy reading and celebrating this amazing festival of lights.
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