As the end of the holiday season approaches--we are blessed with one final celebration of life, prosperity, and happiness-- Tihar--also known as Diwali.
Tihar means "The Festival of Lights" Many candles are lite both inside and outside of houses to brighten the night.
Tihar is a 5 day long Hindu festival that appoints each day for a blessing of a certain animal or person. The first day, yesterday, was puja (or offering) to the crows. The cawing of crows represents death and grief, so offerings are made to them at this time to avert death and grief in the household.
Today is puja for dogs--so you will see many dogs around Katmandu with red tikas on their foreheads, and maybe even flower garlands around their neck if they tolerate it! Dogs are known to be the messengers of the God Yamaraj--the messenger of death--so the offering is to again, avert this in the household.
The third day is to honor the holy Cow--Cows are seen as a sign of prosperity and wealth and also the animal of Lord Shiva, who is extremely sacred to Hindus. The Goddess Laxmi is also worshiped on this day, as she is also the Goddess of wealth and prosperity.
The fourth day is can be for the worship of oxen or for Lord Krishna, for those who follow. This day also begins the New Year, especially celebrated by Newars--or the indigenous of Katmandu Valley.
The fifth and final day is the day for all sisters to give tikas to their brothers to ensure them a long life and thank them for the protection that they give.
You may hear firecrackers in the night, as this is quite a common celebratory practice for Tihar/Diwali. Many places throughout India and Nepal are promoting a greener Tihar and refraining from using firecrackers, which pollute our air with their debris and our neighborhoods with their sound.
Have a very happy Tihar -- Many blessings to you all!
Tihar means "The Festival of Lights" Many candles are lite both inside and outside of houses to brighten the night.
Tihar is a 5 day long Hindu festival that appoints each day for a blessing of a certain animal or person. The first day, yesterday, was puja (or offering) to the crows. The cawing of crows represents death and grief, so offerings are made to them at this time to avert death and grief in the household.
Today is puja for dogs--so you will see many dogs around Katmandu with red tikas on their foreheads, and maybe even flower garlands around their neck if they tolerate it! Dogs are known to be the messengers of the God Yamaraj--the messenger of death--so the offering is to again, avert this in the household.
The third day is to honor the holy Cow--Cows are seen as a sign of prosperity and wealth and also the animal of Lord Shiva, who is extremely sacred to Hindus. The Goddess Laxmi is also worshiped on this day, as she is also the Goddess of wealth and prosperity.
The fourth day is can be for the worship of oxen or for Lord Krishna, for those who follow. This day also begins the New Year, especially celebrated by Newars--or the indigenous of Katmandu Valley.
The fifth and final day is the day for all sisters to give tikas to their brothers to ensure them a long life and thank them for the protection that they give.
You may hear firecrackers in the night, as this is quite a common celebratory practice for Tihar/Diwali. Many places throughout India and Nepal are promoting a greener Tihar and refraining from using firecrackers, which pollute our air with their debris and our neighborhoods with their sound.
Have a very happy Tihar -- Many blessings to you all!
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