Festival of Lights, Colors, and Love, Tihar is Here!!
Kathmandu – As the cool autumn air settles across Nepal, homes, streets, and temples glow with thousands of flickering lamps, signaling the arrival of Tihar, one of the most vibrant and heartfelt celebrations in Nepal. Also known as Deepawali or Yama Panchak, the five-day festival celebrates light over darkness, prosperity over poverty, and love over distance. This year, Tihar 2025 will be celebrated from October 19 to October 23, uniting millions of Nepalese in joy, devotion, and festivity.
Tihar is much more than a festival of lights; it is a celebration of life itself, honoring deities, animals, nature, and the bonds between humans. While neighboring India celebrates Diwali around the same time, Nepal’s version of the festival has its own unique customs and deeper connections to family and the natural world. The days of Kaag Tihar, Kukur Tihar, Gai Tihar, Goru Tihar, and Bhai Tika, each represent gratitude toward different beings who make human existence complete.
At its core, Tihar is the festival of light, love, and prosperity. It honors Yama, the god of death, and Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and fortune, while also acknowledging the animals that share and sustain human life, crows, dogs, cows, and oxen.
Unlike Dashain, which celebrates the victory of good over evil, Tihar focuses on harmony, gratitude, and unity. The festival emphasizes coexistence between humans and nature, and between life and death. It is one of the rare celebrations that balances spirituality, joy, and compassion in equal measure.
Day-by-Day Celebration of Tihar 2025
Day 1: Kaag Tihar – Worship of Crows
The festival begins by honoring crows, regarded as the messengers of Yama, the god of death. Families leave offerings of rice and sweets on rooftops and open spaces, inviting the crows to feast. The belief is that by feeding them, one wards off sorrow and bad news. The cawing of crows is considered an auspicious sign that their offerings have been accepted.
Crows in Hindu mythology symbolize communication between heaven and earth. By showing gratitude toward them, people recognize the role of all creatures in the cosmic balance of life.
Day 2: Kukur Tihar – Worship of Dogs
The second day, Kukur Tihar, is perhaps the most beloved. Dogs, revered for their loyalty and courage, are honored with garlands, tika, and delicious food. In both homes and streets, dogs, whether pets or strays,are treated with affection.
In Nepalese belief, dogs guard the gates of the afterlife and are considered sacred companions to humans. On this day, they receive not just offerings, but genuine love and respect. Photos of garlanded dogs during Tihar often go viral, spreading Nepal’s message of compassion across the globe.
Day 3: Gai Tihar and Lakshmi Puja – Worship of Cows and the Goddess of Wealth
The third day is divided into two parts: morning worship of cows and evening worship of Goddess Lakshmi. Cows are seen as symbols of motherhood, nurturing, and abundance. They are fed delicacies and adorned with flowers and vermilion.
As night falls, the festival transforms into a dazzling display of lights. Lakshmi Puja begins with families cleaning and decorating their homes to invite the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Rows of oil lamps and candles are placed along windows and doors, while colorful rangoli designs adorn entrances. To guide the goddess, footprints are painted from the doorway to the inner sanctum of the home.
The evening also brings the joyous tradition of Deusi and Bhailo, where groups of men, women, and children go door to door singing traditional songs and blessing households in exchange for gifts, sweets, and money. It is a moment of cultural unity, laughter, and music that fills the streets late into the night.
Day 4: Goru Tihar, Govardhan Puja, and Mha Puja – Honoring Strength and the Self
The fourth day of Tihar holds multiple meanings. Oxen are worshipped for their contribution to agriculture, symbolizing strength and dedication. Special meals are prepared for them, and prayers are offered for abundant harvests.
This day also marks Govardhan Puja, celebrating Lord Krishna’s act of lifting the Govardhan Hill to protect villagers from torrential rain. People create small symbolic hills made of cow dung and worship them as a representation of protection and gratitude toward nature.
For the Newar community, this day is sacred as it coincides with Mha Puja, the worship of the self. Mha Puja emphasizes self-reflection, purity, and spiritual renewal, marking the beginning of the Nepal Sambat New Year. Families draw intricate mandalas and light oil lamps as they pray for health and prosperity in the coming year.
Day 5: Bhai Tika – Celebration of Brotherhood
The grand finale of Tihar is Bhai Tika, the day that celebrates the unbreakable bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters apply Saptarangi Tika, a seven-colored tika, on their brothers’ foreheads, symbolizing blessings for longevity and success. Brothers, in return, give gifts and pledge to protect their sisters.
The seven colors of tika, red, yellow, green, blue, white, purple, and pink, represent energy, peace, harmony, faith, purity, spirituality, and love. Garlands of Makhamali (globe amaranth) and Sayapatri (marigold) adorn both siblings, representing immortality and affection.
Bhai Tika concludes the festival with laughter, feasting, and a deep sense of togetherness. It is a heartfelt reminder that family bonds are eternal and sacred.
Deusi and Bhailo: Music That Binds Communities
Deusi and Bhailo performances during Tihar are a form of communal celebration. Men and women, young and old, sing traditional songs accompanied by instruments like the madal and harmonium. The songs often include humorous verses, blessings, and prayers for prosperity. Modern adaptations now feature guitars, drums, and even recorded music, showing how ancient traditions evolve with time.
Tihar for Tourists and Travelers
For visitors, Tihar offers a magical glimpse into Nepal’s cultural heart. Tourists can join local families in performing Deusi-Bhailo, participate in lighting ceremonies, or simply enjoy the spectacular views of illuminated towns.
Popular destinations to witness Tihar include:
- Kathmandu Valley – Famous for Newar celebrations, Mha Puja, and panoramic night views from Swayambhunath.
- Pokhara – Where reflections of lights shimmer beautifully on Phewa Lake.
- Bandipur – A charming hill town known for traditional songs and community festivities.
- Lumbini – Even Buddhist monasteries glow with lamps during Tihar, symbolizing unity among faiths.
For adventure seekers, Tihar coincides with the ideal trekking season. Trails like the Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit, and Langtang Valley are alive with festive energy, allowing trekkers to experience both cultural celebration and Himalayan beauty.
Tihar, Nepal’s Festival of Lights, stands as a radiant symbol of unity, gratitude, and hope. It bridges the gap between the divine and the human, between light and darkness, and between tradition and modern life. As candles flicker across homes and songs echo through the streets, Tihar reminds everyone of the values that truly matter, love, respect, and togetherness.
