Kathmandu – Devotees gathered at the Bal Gopaleshwar Temple in Rani Pokhari from early Wednesday morning to offer prayers and receive tika on the occasion of Bhai Tika, the final day of the Tihar festival.
The historic temple, which opens to the public only once a year on Bhai Tika, witnessed a steady flow of visitors, particularly people who do not have brothers or sisters.
According to the longstanding religious and cultural tradition, individuals without siblings visit the temple to participate in the tika ceremony and exchange blessings. Devotees from different parts of Kathmandu Valley and beyond travel to Rani Pokhari to observe the occasion.
The temple premises were filled with festive activity as visitors offered prayers, exchanged good wishes and participated in traditional rituals.
Bhai Tika celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters, symbolising love, respect, protection and family unity. Sisters traditionally apply colourful tika to their brothers and pray for their long lives, good health and prosperity.
The annual gathering at Bal Gopaleshwar Temple also provides an opportunity for people without siblings to take part in the celebrations, reflecting the festival’s spirit of togetherness and cultural inclusion.
