Kathmandu – Kag Tihar, the festival dedicated to crows, is being celebrated across Nepal on Saturday, November 7, 2026, marking the first day of the five-day Tihar festival, also known as Yamapanchak.
On this day, Hindu devotees worship crows and offer them food, including rice, sweets and other delicacies, as a gesture of respect and gratitude.
According to Hindu religious tradition, crows are regarded as messengers of Yamaraj, the god of death. They are believed to carry messages between the human world and the divine realm.
Devotees traditionally place food on rooftops, courtyards and other open spaces for crows before eating their own meals. The ritual reflects the belief that honouring these birds can help ward off misfortune and bring positive messages to households.
Kag Tihar also highlights the cultural importance of respecting animals and birds, a tradition observed throughout the Tihar festival.
The five-day celebration is associated with the Hindu belief that Yamaraj visits his sister Yamuna during Yamapanchak and receives Bhai Tika from her. The festival therefore carries special significance for the relationship between brothers and sisters.
Another important tradition during Tihar is Yamadeepdan, the offering of oil lamps to Yamaraj. According to religious beliefs, lighting these lamps is associated with prayers for protection from suffering and untimely death.
Religious scholars explain that the lamps are traditionally placed facing south, a direction associated with Yamaraj in Hindu scriptures.
According to the Nepal Calendar Determination Committee, Kukur Tihar and Laxmi Puja will be observed on Sunday, November 8, followed by Gai Tihar on Monday, November 9.
Govardhan Puja, Goru Puja and Mha Puja will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 10. The day will also mark the beginning of Nepal Sambat 1147.
The festival will conclude with Bhai Tika on Wednesday, November 11, when sisters apply tika to their brothers and pray for their long life, happiness and prosperity.
The committee has announced 11:07 am as the auspicious time for Bhai Tika this year.
