Festival of lights 'Tihar' begins

Tihar, the second biggest festival of the Hindus after Dashain and, which is also known as the festival of lights, has begun from Sunday.

Also known as Yamapanchak, the first day of the five-day festival began today with the Kaag Pooja (prayer of crow).

The first day is observed by offering food to the Kaag (crow) as per religious traditions.

The crow is regarded as the messenger of Yamraj, the Lord of Death.

Popular belief is that one sins if he/she eats without worshipping the crow on this day.

The second day of the five-day long festival is Kukur Pooja (prayer of dogs). People offer food to dogs on the day.

The third day of the festival is marked with the prayers to Gai (the cow) and Laxmi (the goddess of wealth). The people of the Newar community perform what is called 'Mha Puja (worship of the self)' on the fourth day of the Yamapanchak.

On the final day of the Yamapanchak, which is called the Bhai Tika, brothers and sisters worship each other and offer Tika, the celebration of which is believed to increase the fame and life of the brothers and sisters.

People visit door to door and play 'Deusi' and 'Bhailo' during the festival, which make the festival fun and enchanting.

During the Yamapanchak, people clean their houses and surroundings and offer worship to Lord Yamaraj, in the belief that the house and the family would be spared from unnatural and untimely death.

Oil-fed lamps are lit and night illumination is also carried out during this festival. nepalnews.com Oct 26 08