Tihar, also known as Deepawali or the Festival of Lights, is a significant and widely celebrated Hindu festival in Nepal. It typically spans five days, and each day is dedicated to honoring different animals and deities. The festival falls in late October or early November, depending on the lunar calendar. Bhai tika Suva Sait for Kathmandu, Nepal is 10:51 AM. as per the Nepal Panchang Nirnayak Committee.
Five days of Tihar:
-
Kaag Tihar (Crow Puja):
- The first day of Tihar is dedicated to crows. People place various food offerings, including sweets and grains, on rooftops and open areas for crows. This is a way to express gratitude and seek blessings for the well-being of the family.
-
Kukur Tihar (Dog Puja):
- On the second day, dogs are honored as they are believed to be loyal and watch over homes. Dogs are adorned with garlands and tika (a red mark) on their foreheads. They are offered special foods, and in some households, a special prayer is performed to protect them.
-
Gai Tihar and Laxmi Puja (Cow and Goddess Laxmi Puja):
- The third day celebrates cows, considered sacred animals in Hinduism. Cows are decorated with garlands and tika, and people pay their respects by offering them food. This day is also dedicated to Goddess Laxmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity. Homes are cleaned and decorated with oil lamps, and people light candles and lamps to welcome Goddess Laxmi. Special pujas (prayers) are performed to seek her blessings for prosperity.
-
Goru Tihar (Ox Puja) and Govardhan Puja:
- On the fourth day, oxen, or bullocks, are worshipped. They play a crucial role in agriculture in Nepal. People offer tika and garlands to these animals and perform puja for their well-being. The day is also known as Govardhan Puja, where a symbolic hill made of cow dung is created to commemorate Lord Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill to protect his people from rain. People circumambulate this hill as a form of worship.
-
Bhai Tika (Brother-Sister Festival):
- The final day of Tihar is dedicated to the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters perform special rituals to honor and bless their brothers. They apply tika on their brothers’ foreheads, offer them garlands, and perform aarti (a ritual with a lit oil lamp). In return, brothers give gifts and tokens of appreciation to their sisters. This day celebrates the love and affection between siblings.
Bhai Tika Suva Sait for Different Country
The exact timing for tika may vary depending on your location and the specific Tithi (lunar day) or astrological calculations. Here is the list of Suva Sait for Bhai tika to different countries according to the Nepal Panchang Nirnayak Committee:
Location and Country | Date | Time(AM) | Location and Country | Date | Time(AM) |
Kathmandu, Nepal | 29 Kartik 2080 | 10:51 | Lisbon, Portugal | 15 Nov 2023 | 11:51 |
Delhi, India | 15 Nov 2023 | 11:05 | London, UK | 15 Nov 2023 | 11:57 |
New York, USA | 14 Nov 2023 | 11:15 | Paris, France | 15 Nov 2023 | 11:05 |
Kentucky, USA | 14 Nov 2023 | 11:55 | Oslo, Norway | 15 Nov 2023 | 11:45 |
Texas, USA | 14 Nov 2023 | 11:25 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 15 Nov 2023 | 11:15 |
Washington DC | 14 Nov 2023 | 11:21 | Abu Dhabi, UAE | 15 Nov 2023 | 11:14 |
California, USA | 14 Nov 2023 | 10:55 | Doha, Qatar | 15 Nov 2023 | 11:11 |
Toronto, Canada | 14 Nov 2023 | 11:45 | Bangkok, Thailand | 15 Nov 2023 | 11:41 |
Vancouver, Canada | 14 Nov 2023 | 11:57 | Seoul, South Korea | 15 Nov 2023 | 11:42 |
Tokyo, Japan | 15 Nov 2023 | 10:45 | Tel Aviv, Israel | 15 Nov 2023 | 11:35 |
Sydney, Australia | 15 Nov 2023 | 11:15 | Singapore | 15 Nov 2023 | 11:05 |
Melbourne, Australia | 15 Nov 2023 | 11:34 | Hong Kong | 15 Nov 2023 | 10:57 |
Brisbane, Australia | 15 Nov 2023 | 10:15 | Saudi Arabia | 15 Nov 2023 | 10:37 |
Canberra, Australia | 15 Nov 2023 | 11:11 | Yangon, Myanmar | 15 Nov 2023 | 11:45 |
Wellington, New Zealand | 15 Nov 2023 | 11:19 | Geneva, Switzerland | 15 Nov 2023 | 11:54 |
Tihar is a festival of joy, light, and togetherness. Homes are beautifully decorated with colorful rangoli (artistic designs made with colored powders), oil lamps, and marigold flower garlands. Families come together to share delicious feasts, exchange gifts, and offer prayers for prosperity, health, and happiness. It is a time for expressing gratitude, strengthening bonds, and celebrating the richness of Nepali culture and tradition.