Kukur Tihar in Nepal - Celebrations, Dates and Festivities

Tihar Festival or Diwali in Nepal is the second most celebrated festival in Nepal after Dashain (Dussehra). In this festival, people not only celebrate the Gods but the animals and birds which share a close relationship with them. It is known by different names at different places but the soul of the festival remains the same. The practice of age-old rituals and customs in Nepal is best reflected during the 'Tihar' festival, which is the most anticipated & popular celebrations of the locals.

Also known as "Yampanchak", this festival is comparable to Diwali, the Hindu "festival of lights" with Nepalese homes are decked up with lights of various colours, and traditional clay oil lamps are also lit during the celebration period. 

Tihar Festival 2024 Dates

The timing of the auspicious festival is based around the new moon of the Karthik Month and extends two days prior and after the event. Annually varying, it can be celebrated either in October or November according to the Western Calendar.

Dates: 30th October to 3rd November 2024

Where to Celebrate Tihar Festival of Lights

Celebrations of Tihar can be found all across Nepal. You can also find some essence of Tihar in the Indian states of Assam, Sikkim, and Darjeeling. However, if you are interested in experiencing the lesser-known rituals, attend the festivities of smaller villages.

Tihar Festival in Kathmandu

If you wish to have a completely authentic experience of the complete with worshipping the Gods and goddesses, witnessing the bright-lit lights and all the other customs, Kathmandu would be a great choice.

What is the Tihar Nepali Festival?

The Tihar Festival is held to honour and thank the contributions of the Gods, animals and the people and reminds one of the surroundings and all its beings that enrich our lives.

Customs in Tihar

During Tihar, the towns and villages are all illuminated with dazzling lights and diyas while patterns are drawn with flower petals and coloured rice to welcome happiness and the Goddess of wealth.

Why is it The Best Time to Travel to Nepal

With a pleasant surrounding, it makes for a perfect time for travellers who have an interest in knowing more about the religious beliefs of the people of Nepal to join in.

Popular Beliefs

According to popular legend, the festival is believed to have originated from the story of the God of Death, Yama and his sister, Yamuna.

Traditions and Rituals of Tihar Festival

Each day of the festival has a story of its own with different rituals and traditions:

Day 1: Kaag Tihar - Crow Worship

On the first day of the festival, Hindus feed and worship crows. People offer rice to the crows who are regarded as the messenger of death. The crows are said to be occupied all year round and only have the day of the Tihar Festival to rest.
Beliefs
It is believed that if the crows aren't happy, they will be the bearer of bad news and hence could bring upon misfortune in the forthcoming year.

Day 2: Kukur Tihar - Worship and Gratitude Towards Dogs - Nepali Dog Festival

The second day of the festival is the “Day of the Dogs”. On this day, Nepalis honour and thank dogs who are believed to assure safe journey of the departed souls to heaven.Hindus honour dogs with calendula garlands and Tika and then feed them a delectable spread of food. Nepalese policemen can be seen applying red tika on patrol dog foreheads and presenting garlands to thank them for their faithful serviceIn Nepal, dogs are considered to be the messengers of Yamraj, the god of death. Dogs play the crucial role of being the gatekeepers of death. It is said that the dogs lead the souls of the dead people in the underworld across the river of death. 

Day 3: Laxmi Puja and Gai Tihar - Worshipping Goddess Lakshmi and Cow Worship

On the third day of the festival, you would witness Nepalese worshipping cows, bathings and applying the red Tika on their forehead. The cows are further decorated with beautiful wreaths around their necks, and holy strings tied to their tails by the priest
Cows are considered sacred and symbolise motherhood and wealth.

On this day Goddess Laxmi is also worshipped, and people wake up early to clean their houses thoroughly and prepare for the necessities. As the sun sets, oil lamps, candles, and brightly illuminating lights are lit. Nepalese kids make small groups to visit their neighbours and sing traditional Deusi or Bhailo songs to seek the blessings of the elders. In return, homeowners give the children sweets, money and fruits. People try to make their homes as pleasing as they can to ensure that Goddess Laxmi can find her way to their homes.

Day 4: Goru Puja, Maha Puja, and Govardhan Puja - Elders, Self and Cow Dung Worship

People honour different things on this day of the Tihar Festival depending on their cultural background. A majority of the people can be seen worshipping the Oxen as it is considered as a farmer’s indispensable helper. In addition to all this, the Newari community celebrates the beginning of a New Year on this day and performs the Maha Puja to worship themselves. After the grand feast, the family members take turns to offer prayers to the death of Yama Panchak and then later exchange gifts to hope for good luck in the upcoming year.The eldest male member of the family draws two geometric figures where one is painted to seek blessings for the entire family, and the other is dedicated to Yama’s death and his messenger. All the members then enjoy a beautiful spread of delicious food that includes fried fish, boiled eggs, delectable desserts and more. Cow dung is revered for the Govardhan Puja as a representative of the Govardhan Mountain.

Day 5: Bhai Tika - Prayer Day for Brothers

On the last of the Tihar Festival, siblings gather together, and sisters pray for the long life of their brothers. Colourful tikas are smeared on their brothers’ forehead, and garlands are placed around their necks. Sisters offer fruits, sweets, and gift items to their brothers who in return, give money and gifts. The brothers too follow the same ritual, and the celebration is known to enhance the bond shared by brothers and sisters.The tradition is based on the tale of a Hindu Goddess who performed the same for her brother. Sisters also worship Yamraj, the God of death on this day to lengthen their brothers’ life span.

Legends of Tihar - Diwali in Nepal

There are many tales about the origins of Tihar. The most popular of them all is the story of Lord Yama, the God of Death and his sister the Yamuna.Lord Yama, the Hindu god of death, is believed to be the one who judges the souls of people after their death. He is the one who decides whether to send their souls to hell or heaven. Once, he was supposed to meet his sister, Yamuna. But he was unable to as he was busy with his work. On the other hand, Yamuna was eagerly waiting to meet her brother. So she sent messages to him, inviting him to come and meet her. As the legend goes, she sent a crow, a dog and then a cow as the messenger. But even then, Lord Yama did not come to see her. Finally, she had decided to go by herself and meet him. This day is observed as the day of Bhai ‘Tika’, the 5th day of Tihar.On this day, it is said that the Yamuna worshipped her brother and blessed him with good fortune. Hence, following the footsteps of Yamuna, the tradition of sisters paying respect to their brothers and praying for their well being was set.

Another story, telling the origins of the Govardhan Puja observed on the 4th Day of Tihar is about Lord Krishna. It is the story of when Gokul village was under the threat of flood and heavy rainfall after being cursed upon by Lord Indra, the God of Rain. To protect the people of his town, Krishna lifted the massive Govardhan Mountain on his tiny little finger and gave shelter to his town’s people and animals. As Govardhan Mountain saved the lives of people of Gokul, they offered a variety of food items to Govardhan Mountain and worshipped him for becoming their saviour.

Discover Nepal Through Tihar

People visiting Nepal at the time of the Tihar Festival can also take part in the below-mentioned activities:

1. Pay a visit to the Rani Pokhari Temple

The temple remains closed all year round to the public except on the fifth day of the auspicious festival of Tihar. Situated in downtown Kathmandu, the temple is set amid an artificial pond. The pristine white structure, white-elephant carvings, the single dome and more are indeed a spectacular sight.

2. Take part in Kathmandu’s Grand Tihar Festival

Being in Kathmandu during the Tihar Festival would give you the chance to witness the beauty and true essence of the occasion. The streets are lit with beautiful lights during the night, and there are numerous cultural and religious celebrations to attend. If you have the chance, visit the festivals in smaller villages which are unique and rather impressive.

3. Tour Thamel

Tour Thamel is Kathmandu’s popular tourist neighbourhood known for its narrow streets and pleasing aesthetic. Take a rickshaw or travel on foot to experience the beauty of several quaint little stores. As most tourists would mainly be interested in being a part of the festivities, you would have the chance to explore the market or eat at restaurants that serve traditional Nepalese cuisine.

Tips for the Best Tihar Festival Experience

• The streets can get a bit crowded especially with locals purchasing new things for their homes and tourists wandering about exploring the local markets
• Book hotels in advance to ensure rooms during this period of crowded tourism.
• Be respectful of the Nepalese traditions and customs as it is a very auspicious time of the year.

If you are planning to visit Nepal during October or November, make sure you attend the celebrations of the Tihar Festival. Locals are thrilled and welcome tourists open-heartedly to join in the festivities.