KATHMANDU, Nov 15: The last day of the five-day-long festival, Tihar, known as Bhai Tika, is being celebrated across the country today, Wednesday.

On this day, also known as Yamapanchak, sisters and brothers observe the Bhai Tika festival, extending wishes for their brothers' long life, health, and wealth with devotion, faith, and loyalty. They adhere to tradition by wearing Pancharangi or Saptarangi tika.

Prof. Dr. Devmani Bhattarai, a theologian and a member of the National Calendar Determination Committee, has emphasized that despite the prevalent notion of wearing a seven-colored tika during Tihar, classical belief advocates for a five-colored tika. He explained, "Even though there is a common belief to wear a seven-colored tika during Tihar, according to classical tradition, the tika should consist of five colors: red, white, yellow, green, and blue."

Similarly, on the day of Laxmi Puja, lamps, Kalash, and Ganesha are worshiped. The Ashtadal, inscribed on the original plate, includes the worship of Markandeya, Ashwathama, Bali, Vyasa, Hanuman, Bhibhishan, Kripacharya, Parashuram, and other deities, along with Chiranjivi, Chitragupta, Yamaraja, Yamuna, and Dharmaraj. Following the worship, brothers are sprinkled with a stream of oil and adorned with flowers such as Makhamli, Saipatri, or Godavari in accordance with tradition.

As part of the religious and social custom, sisters offer food like walnuts, dry nuts, and selroti to their brothers after applying tika. In return, brothers express their respect by presenting clothes and money as symbols of good luck to their sisters.

 
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