Tihar - Nepali

Hello! I am Tihar, and people in Nepal know me as a festival of lights. My celebration lasts for five whole days. Another name people call me is Deepawali. During my observance, homes and streets glow with beautiful, colorful lights. People also light special oil lamps called diyas, which twinkle brightly in the night, making everything look magical and festive.

I am a special time for people to show they are thankful for the animals that share their world. My first day is dedicated to honoring crows. In the traditions associated with me, crows are thought to be messengers, so people leave them food to show respect. On my second day, the celebration turns to dogs. People thank them for being such loyal and wonderful friends. To show their appreciation, they place pretty flower garlands around the dogs' necks and give them delicious, tasty treats to eat.

My third day is often the busiest one of all. The morning starts with people honoring cows. In Nepal, cows are considered sacred animals because they provide milk that helps families. In the evening, the focus of the day shifts. People prepare to welcome the goddess of wealth, whose name is Lakshmi. They clean their homes from top to bottom and then light as many lamps as they can. These bright lamps are meant to guide her way and invite her into their homes for good fortune.

The last day of my celebration is my fifth day, which has a very special name: Bhai Tika. This name means 'brother's tika.' It is a day that celebrates the strong and loving bond between brothers and sisters. On this day, sisters perform a ceremony for their brothers. They place a special, colorful mark called a tika on their brothers’ foreheads. This tika is believed to offer protection and good wishes for the year ahead.

Today, when people observe me, their homes are filled with bright and cheerful decorations. They hang long garlands made of fresh flowers and create beautiful designs on the floor using colorful powders. These floor designs are called rangoli. It is also a time for families to gather together and share special foods. One popular treat is Sel Roti, which is a sweet bread made in the shape of a ring. You might also hear the happy sounds of children singing. They go from house to house in groups called 'deusi-bhailo,' sharing songs and bringing joy to the neighborhood.