Tihar, Mha Puja and Nepal Sambat New Year

About two weeks after Dashain comes Tihar, the festival of lights. For five days houses are cleaned and decorated, oil lamps and electric lights glow in every window, and groups of singers go from house to house at night.

Five days, five honours

On the first day, Kag Tihar, crows — messengers of death in folk belief — are fed. On the second, Kukur Tihar, dogs receive garlands, tika and special food; it is a lovely day to see street dogs of Sanothimi wearing marigold garlands. On the third morning, cows, symbols of Lakshmi, are worshipped, and in the evening comes Laxmi Puja, when homes are lit to welcome the goddess of wealth. Footprints of red mud are painted from the door to the shrine, so she can find her way in.

On the fourth day, many communities worship Govardhan, the mountain Krishna lifted, and oxen. On the fifth day, Bhai Tika, sisters place a seven-coloured tika on their brothers' foreheads, give them garlands of makhamali flowers and a special feast, and pray for their long life. Brothers give gifts in return.

Deusi and Bhailo

During the Tihar evenings groups of children and young people sing Bhailo (girls) and Deusi (boys) songs at doorways, receiving money, sweets and fruit in return. Today many groups raise money for community projects in this way.

Mha Puja and Nepal Sambat

For the Newar community, the fourth day of Tihar is Mha Puja — the worship of the self. Each family member sits before a mandala drawn on the floor, and the body and soul are worshipped for health and strength in the coming year. The same day marks the start of Nepal Sambat, the traditional Newar calendar, and in Bhaktapur, Thimi and Kathmandu there are rallies, cultural programmes and celebrations to welcome the new year.

Clay lamps from Thimi

Many of the small clay oil lamps lit during Tihar come from the potters of Thimi and Bhaktapur. In the weeks before the festival, you will see thousands of them drying in pottery yards.