Tihar begins with Yamadeepdan, Kag Tihar today; firecrackers scare animals and birds

Yamapanchak, or Tihar, began yesterday evening with Yamadeepdan on Kartik Krishna Trayodashi, and Kag Tihar is being celebrated today, Saturday.

According to Dr. Purushottam Bhattarai, chairperson of the Nepal Panchang Nirnayak Vikas Samiti, this schedule follows the scriptural rule that Deepdan is observed on the day Trayodashi falls in the evening, and Kag Tihar is observed on the day Trayodashi falls in the morning. Although Dhan Trayodashi fell yesterday, Dhanvantari Jayanti falls today.

Due to fluctuations in the lunar date, the committee said Kukur Tihar will fall tomorrow, Sunday, morning, with Laxmi Puja in the evening of the same day. Tomorrow morning, before sunrise, there is a tradition of taking a purifying bath with apamarga. On Monday the 23rd, Gai Puja (cow worship) will be observed, and on Tuesday the 24th, Goru Puja (ox worship), Govardhan Puja and Mha Puja will take place. Nepal Sambat 1147 will begin the same day.

The committee said the most auspicious time for Bhai Tika is 11:07 am on Wednesday, the 25th. It added that it is also scripturally acceptable for the general public to apply tika at midday.

According to religious scholar Professor Dr. Ramchandra Gautam, deepdan (lamp offering) is done facing south, with the number of lamps matching the number of family members. Gautam said the scriptural method allows deepdan to be performed until Bhai Tika day.

Meanwhile, opposition has begun against the loud noise of firecrackers, which frightens dogs, crows and other birds.