Tihar

The Tihar Festival, also known as Deepawali or the Festival of Lights, is the most popular and significant in Nepal. Observed for five days in late autumn, Tihar revolves around vibrant celebrations, sacred rituals, and long-standing traditions that reveal the cultural and spiritual essence of Hindu Nepalese.

Marked by the lighting of clay lamps, decoration of homes with intricate designs, feasting on sweets and seasonal delicacies, as well as worship of crows, dogs, and cows according to Hindu customs, Tihar represents the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and righteous goodwill against evil. 

An integral part of Nepalese national identity, the festival strengthens community ties and brings together Nepalese from all walks of life through the exchange of blessings, gifts, and well-wishes.

Unlike other Hindu festivals, Tihar places greater emphasis on demonstrating compassion towards all creatures and forms of life. The unique rituals, customs, and inclusive spirit of the festival reflect core Hindu ideals and principles. 

As the most glimmering, enchanting, and widely celebrated festival across Nepal, Tihar encapsulates the country's living heritage and vibrant culture. The festival reveals the true colors of Nepal to the world during the magical autumn season.

Historical Background

The origins of Tihar can be traced back to ancient Nepal and the Kathmandu Valley, where new year festivals similar to Tihar and Diwali marked the end of the harvest season as early as the 5th century CE. Historians suggest that such “Festival of Lights” has been celebrated in the region for over 2,500 years.

According to Hindu mythology, Tihar is associated with the story of Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after his 14-year exile. To welcome him back, the people of Ayodhya lit the entire city with earthen lamps called diyas. The glowing lights symbolized prosperity and the triumph of light over darkness. Tihar also has connections to the Hindu god of death, Yama, and there are myths about his sister Yamuna blessing homes during the festival.

While inspired by pan-Hindu myths and narratives, many of the rituals and customs of Tihar developed locally in Nepal. The five-day structure, animal worship, treat offerings, home decorations using colors and flowers native to Nepal, singing of regional songs, and family-centered celebrations reflect distinct Nepalese and Kathmandu Valley influences molded by centuries of tradition.

As a major festival in honor of the Hindu goddess Laxmi, the celebrations also demonstrate Nepal’s deep roots in Hinduism mixed uniquely with Tibetan Buddhism in the country’s culture. Tihar continues to evolve today, incorporating modern traditions while preserving its core purpose and meaning.

The Five Days of Tihar: Rituals and Significance

Kaag Tihar (Crow Day)

Known as Kaag Tihar or Crow Day, the first day of Tihar kicks off the five-day Hindu festival across Nepal. On this day, crows and ravens hold a special spiritual status and are worshipped early in the morning through offerings of sweets and dishes placed on the roofs and courtyards of homes.

As per Hindu tradition, crows represent ancestors and messengers of death. Crows have also long served as solar symbols in Hindu astrology given their dark color which absorbs light. During Kaag Tihar, the crows are believed to carry the prayers from earth to heaven requesting blessings and commending the souls of those departed. Food offerings to crows intend to please Hindu deities so they bring health, prosperity, and joy during the coming year.

The first day also commemorates the beginning of Nepal Sambat, the official calendar year in Nepal, which starts in late October or early November. Performing Kaag Tihar rituals marks a festive start to the new year. 

Across the country, families spend the day cleaning their homes, decorating entrances with cow dung and colored rice flour, and preparing traditional foods, sweets, and treats for the subsequent days worshipping dogs, cows, and oxen, followed by celebrations honoring the Goddess Laxmi on the final day.

Kukur Tihar (Dog Day)

Kukur Tihar or the “day of dogs” is celebrated on the second day of the Tihar festival. Dogs play a ceremonial role in Hindu religion as guardians of heaven’s gates or messengers of death, similar to crows and ravens.

On Kukur Tihar, Nepalese families across the country worship dogs through tika – applying auspicious red, yellow, or brown markings on a dog’s forehead. Families also make flower garlands for dogs and feed them elaborate meals of rice, eggs, and meat as a symbol of respect and gratitude. It is traditionally believed that offerings to dogs help evil spirits pass through them into the afterlife without stopping to curse humanity. Honoring dogs is also thought to appease the Hindu god of death, Yamaraj.

The vibrant celebration of these animals reveals the benign humanitarian values in Nepalese culture. Locals revere other life forms beyond humans and seek their blessings for a prosperous year ahead. Kukur Tihar brings the entire community together, with children and youth actively engaging in the festivities alongside parents and elders. The rituals renew appreciation for dogs and reinforce their cherished place in Nepal’s religious and social fabric.

Gai Tihar and Laxmi Puja (Cow Day)

The third day of Tihar is split into two separate celebrations – Gai Tihar in the morning followed by Laxmi Puja towards the evening.

Gai Tihar continues the tradition of animal worship during Tihar. On this day, cows are treated to fine vegetarian feasts, and their horns, hooves, and sheds are painted in colorful red, yellow, and orange powders as symbols of health and vigor. Cows are considered holy mothers in Hinduism for sustaining lives with their milk and dairy. Ceremonial pujas (prayers) performed for cows bring blessings for prosperity.

The festivities shift focus later in the day towards Goddess Laxmi – the Hindu incarnation of wealth, abundance, and beauty. In preparation for Laxmi Puja, homes are thoroughly cleaned and embellished with rangoli sand murals and oil lamps made from rice paste as markings to invite the goddess in. Families offer prayers to silver and gold idols of Laxmi placed on a platform and make wishes for continued fortune.

Money, jewelry, sweets, and flowers are also offered to goddess sculptures made of cow dung called Laxmi Göhar which are kept for the entire five days of Tihar. The glowing diyas (lamps) are believed to guide Laxmi into homes so she blesses everyone with affluence and contentment.

Govardhan Puja or Goru Tihar (Oxen Day)

The fourth day of the Tihar festival, Govardhan Puja, also called Goru Tihar or Oxen Day, sees more bovine veneration with ceremonial honors for oxen. Oxen have been integral to Nepal’s largely agricultural economy, valued for plowing fields and carrying heavy loads.

On Goru Tihar morning, oxen are given a bath, offered a feast and decorated elaborately with garlands, painted horns, and colored plumage. In the legend behind Govardhan Puja, Lord Krishna lifted a mountain called Govardhan to shelter villagers and cattle from torrential rains. 

Tihar celebrations in Nepal recreate the myth by building mountain models made of cow dung and grass called Govardhan. These are placed in the village square and worshipped in commemoration of Krishna’s miracle. People also visit important hilltop temples on the day.

Occasionally, bullfights are also held between beasts decorated as part of community festivities. The day certainly exposes both the playful and spiritual sides of Nepalese society. But fundamentally, Goru Tihar underscores the ideals of harmony between humans and animals and respect for all life forms - values central to Hindu Dharma and intrinsic to Tihar's essence.

Bhai Tika (Brother's Day)

Bhai Tika, observed on the last day of Tihar, celebrates the loving bond between brothers and sisters in Nepal. On this day, sisters prepare trays with auspicious items like flowers, tika colors, lighted lamps and sweets. At the appropriate astrological hour, the sister performs aarti (prayer ceremony) for her brother and applies a tika on his forehead as a wish for long life and prosperity. Brothers offer gifts to sisters and pledge to always protect them.

Sisters wishing migrant brothers make garlands of marigold flowers traditionally believed to never wither. Their love persists regardless of distance. The brothers too send gifts and make offerings to goddess Laxmi for the wellbeing of their sisters. Those whose siblings have passed on carry out tika rituals in remembrance.

The vibrant rituals reflect Nepal’s enduring family-oriented society that sees men hold an equal place as caring sons and brothers beyond being husbands and fathers alone. Bhai Tika strengthens social harmony through renewed relationships. After months of preparation, Tihar climaxes in emotional family reunions, shared feasts, and community camaraderie to uplift Nepali society as a whole before another year’s winter sets in.

Cultural Aspects

Tihar infuses Nepal with rich cultural traditions through the festival’s iconic dances, songs, attire, decorations, and more that enliven the spirit of the celebrations.

Special folk songs called Deusi and Bhailo are performed in Nepalese neighborhoods. Young men and women visit homes playing music and singing blessings for prosperity in a national tradition similar to Halloween caroling. 

The Deusi dance is done by female groups making auspicious sounds on cymbals called jhijhiya while males perform the Bhailo dances wearing colorfully painted masks and costumes. Homeowners offer them money and treats in return.

Integral artistic expressions like rangolis, garlands, oil lamps, and the prominent five colors of Tihar associated with different Hindu deities contribute a vibrant cultural aesthetic around the festival. Distinct arts and crafts like Laxmi statues, Deepavali lamps, and pottery add to the material culture. Made from clay and filled with oil and cotton, the lamps symbolize knowledge and light overcoming the darkness of ignorance.

Such intangible and tangible heritage upholds Nepal’s cultural diversity while tying traditions to national identity. As both a religious and social festival, Tihar promotes cultural exchange and understanding between multiple ethnic groups across Nepal, strengthening tolerance and national harmony. The preservation of Tihar’s unique cultural phenomena remains vital for safeguarding Nepali traditions in the modern age.

Culinary Traditions

Tihar is marked extensively by special preparations of traditional vegetarian foods and desserts that not only delight the tastebuds but also carry ritual significance. Each dish prepared during the festival has ceremonial symbolism.

The most iconic Tihar foods are the assortment of sweets and fried snacks like ladoo, khajuri, coconut barfi, and Sel roti which form a key part of offerings throughout the five days. Other staples include malpua pancakes, stuffed potato curry, Singhade bean stew, sweet yogurt, and fruits. The diverse sweets represent the sugary joy of life. Regional cuisines also influence Tihar menus based on available crops.

In Kathmandu, the Yamari bread containing a hidden coin is especially popular. Whoever finds the coin hidden inside their piece is considered blessed for the year ahead. Cows are fed their favorite treats as reverence while dogs are served meaty feasts during their day of veneration. Certain foods also have symbolic meaning - for instance, "kheer" rice pudding with candied sugar denotes blessings for familial ties to remain as sweet as kheer.

Preparing the entire feast during Tihar is a communal tradition. Family and friends gather for days helping with chopping fruits, frying sweets, and crafting artistic displays from edibles that bring households together. Tihar cuisine offers yet another medium for transferring Nepal's living heritage between generations through food preparation rituals that stimulate festive cultural memories.

Social and Economic Impact

Beyond its religious and spiritual significance, Tihar generates both social and economic benefits that widely uplift Nepali society.

Socially, the festival promotes stronger interpersonal ties and community building. Tihar brings together people from various backgrounds through collective celebrations, strengthening inter-generational bonds when the young and old collaborate in hosting festivities. The practices also foster cultural exchange and harmony. Shared rituals dissolve differences, with communal feasts, singing, and dances breaking barriers. Tihar spreads public optimism and renews Nepali identity and dignity.

Economically, Tihar sees heightened consumer demand as families purchase decorations, sacred offerings, materials for lighting diyas, new clothing, and large volumes of food items. It injects profits into small businesses at year-end from increased retail and wholesale trade. 

Flower vendors in particular see massive income from garland sales used for cow and oxen worship. Rural economic growth picks up from market activity. Nepal’s 2017 Tihar season generated almost 3 billion Nepali Rupees of revenue according to official estimates.

Moreover, with its picturesque traditions, Tihar has become Nepal’s signature festival draw for tourists from abroad. The brightly glowing capital, lively fairs, and cultural programs offer prime attractions for visitors to experience Nepal’s “festival of lights” firsthand. Tourism rises exponentially, benefiting airlines, hotels, and transport services in the peak season. Thus, Tihar positively impacts Nepal’s economic and social growth.

Tihar in Modern Times

While the ethos of Tihar remains deeply rooted in tradition, the festival has naturally evolved with the changing times. Today’s celebrations have undergone some shifts in urban contexts while retaining their core regional essence.

In cities like Kathmandu, the practices have been simplified over the years. Certain rituals like bullfighting have declined with modernization. Laxmi Puja and Bhai Tika now see more young nuclear families and working couples busy coping with urban pressures, though traditions endure in the native communities.

Cultural globalization has also crept into Nepali lifestyles. Global brands target Tihar shoppers today. Advertisements in English, costume parties, and the gifting of cards have grown popular among young metropolitan groups swayed by global consumerist culture, often at the cost of local handicrafts.

However, increased environmental awareness has led to positive changes. Biodegradable paper lanterns and eco-conscious Laxmi Göhar made of reusable clay are replacing harmful chemical-laced paints previously used for coloring cows. The eco-friendly adaptations help balance modernization while safeguarding Tihar’s core heritage and timeless communal spirit embodied in Nepal’s diverse, tight-knit communities.

Comparative Analysis

While the Tihar celebrations across Nepal stem from similar historical-cultural roots as Diwali festivities in India, there are some key distinctions in practices along with regional variances within Nepal itself.

The most noticeable difference is Tihar’s stronger emphasis on honoring all forms of life like crows, dogs, and cows through dedicated days over five days. Diwali focuses more singularly on the worship of the goddess Lakshmi and commemorates Lord Rama’s return on a single day. Tihar also uniquely celebrates the bonding between brothers and sisters on its last day.

In terms of regional variations within Nepal, the cuisine, costumes, and cultural performances vary between Nepal’s ethnic sub-communities across hills and plains. For instance, the Gurung populations have their styles of Deusi dance and music using traditional instruments compared to the Newari troupes in Kathmandu Valley. Artistry for Deepavali lamps and home rangolis also diversify between regions.

But common signature elements like decorating cowsheds on Gai Tihar, preparing sweets as offerings, and sisters applying tika for their brothers on Bhai Tika make Tihar rituals distinct from Diwali even as localized expressions differ within Nepal. Ultimately the ethos of showing reverence and devotion connects Nepali communities from the Himalayas to Terai grasslands during Tihar.

Spanning over five radiant days, Tihar encapsulates Nepal’s cultural, spiritual, and social soul like no other festival. The ancient rituals rooted in Hindu traditions, regional expressions of song and dance, smile spreading warmth amidst candle flames, and the national spirit lifting higher than the Himalayas - all crystallize around spectacular Tihar celebrations.

Through both continuity of enduring rites and fluidity to adopt eco-conscious adaptations, the Festival of Lights is likely to remain Nepal’s living heritage and identity beacon for posterity. Tihar will progress welcoming new generations of Nepali families and foreigners to partake in the mirth, harmony, and illuminated visions of prosperity that only this festival can foster.

At its glowing heart, Tihar summons humanity’s shared hopes that transcend cultures - for knowledge over ignorance, righteous good to prevail over evil, dharma, and duty to steer right from wrong, bountiful blessings for all creature-kinds, and interpersonal bonds to thrive like the holy cow nurtures lives with her milk. These universal aspirations and human ideals make Tihar a unique light not just for Nepal, but for uplifting peoples across lands and time.

Conclusion

Spanning over five radiant days, Tihar encapsulates Nepal’s cultural, spiritual, and social soul like no other festival. The ancient rituals rooted in Hindu traditions, regional expressions of song and dance, smile spreading warmth amidst candle flames, and the national spirit lifting higher than the Himalayas - all crystallize around spectacular Tihar celebrations.

Through both continuity of enduring rites and fluidity to adopt eco-conscious adaptations, the Festival of Lights is likely to remain Nepal’s living heritage and identity beacon for posterity. Tihar will progress welcoming new generations of Nepali families and foreigners to partake in the mirth, harmony, and illuminated visions of prosperity that only this festival can foster.

At its glowing heart, Tihar summons humanity’s shared hopes that transcend cultures - for knowledge over ignorance, righteous good to prevail over evil, dharma, and duty to steer right from wrong, bountiful blessings for all creature-kinds, and interpersonal bonds to thrive like the holy cow nurtures lives with her milk. These universal aspirations and human ideals make Tihar a unique light not just for Nepal, but for uplifting peoples across lands and time.