Festival of Lights: Deepawali begins in Nepal

Deepawali -- the Tihar festival, or the festival of light, prosperity, brotherhood and sisterhood, and also the second largest festival of the Nepali Hindhus, has begun from Monday. The festival is popularly known as "Yam Panchak" or the five- day festival. The celebration begins from the 13th day of the waning moon in the month of October/ November till he second day of waxing moon every year. The festival, unlike the Bada-Dashain festival, the first largest festival, does not slain animals in the name of god, however, the festival marks the days with utmost respect to the animals, including birds. On the very first day of the Tihar festival, crows are worshipped by giving them delicious food mostly up in the terrace of almost every hindhu house. Crows are taken as the messenger of the lord Yama, or the god of death, also when a crow caws it is taken as a bad omen or bringing home of some sad news. In order to avoid any sad news or message of grief the crows are worshipped in the name of god by offering the crows with worship and food. On the second day of Tihar, dogs are worshipped for their obedience and guarding the household throughout the year. Dogs are seen wearing a garland of flower popularly known as " Kukur Ful" or the Dog Flower and eating delicious meals in the households. Likewise, the third day is observed as the main "Deepawali day" where the goddess of fortune and wealth Laxmi is worshipped with much enthusiasm and fanfare. People worship lord Laxmi by inviting them to their house by cleaning the house and by making different paints of red mud and colors, flowers hung over the doors and windows. Also cows are worshipped as the incarnation of the goddess laxmi on the same day, On the fourth day, Ox is worshipped. On the concluding day or one of the biggest days for the brothers and sisters "Bhai-tika" is observed by offering seven colors of tika and garland of Makhmali flowers. Houses are decorated by flowers, colors and are lit by oil lamps or the electricity lamps in order to welcome the goddess laxmi. Also the festival is marked by singing -- deusi and bhailo songs and dancing by going to households in neighbors. Talking with Xinhua on Monday, Mukunda Nepal, a journalism student said he loved the festival very much and this is his favorite festival of all. "It's my favorite festival the festival of lights and the festival of sisterhood and brotherhood which gives me another reason to respect my sisters," he said. Poonam Maharjan, assistant editor of a local magazine, said the festival of Tihar is full of positive vibrancies, every house looks alike in colorful lights, people sing and dance and there is no cruel butchery in any household or temples unlike in Dashain. She added that most of all bhai tika is probably the best conclusion to this five-day-long festival when the people rejoice the bond siblings share, hence rekindling the love and trust they have for each other.