Tihaar Festival

The five-day-long festival of Tihaar is the second biggest and most colorful festival in Nepal, and comes two weeks after Dashain/Bijaya Dashami between the months of October/November every year. During Tihaar, Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, is worshipped. People clean their houses and decorate them with small clay oil lamps that are lit and placed in doorways, windows, and stairs to welcome the goddess. On this day, almost all government offices, educational institutions, banks and other public buildings are closed. Tihaar is celebrated with enthusiasm and happiness. Entire neighborhoods—the houses, streets, store fronts, and other public places—are all lit with lights and clay lamps, and decorated with marigold flower garlands. It is the festival of triumphs of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. In addition to worshipping Laxmi, special ceremonies are performed to worship animals. They are called kaag tihaar (crows), kukkur tihaar (dogs), and gai tihaar (cows). The five-day festival also celebrates Bhai-Tikaa (Brother-Sister Day), Bhintunaa (Newari New Year), Mha Puja (worship of self), and Chhath Puja (festival devoted to Surya, god of energy).