KATHMANDU, Oct 29: The Tiha starts today. Tihar, also known as Yama Panchak, is the second biggest Hindu festival and falls around this time of the year as per the Bikram Sambat (BS). The Yama Panchak begins every year from Kartik Krishna Trayodashi – the 13th day of the lunar calendar. The Trayodashi starts just as the Dwadashi – the 12th day of the lunar calendar ends at 11:01 AM today. WIth onset of Trayodashi, the Tihar officially begins.
Since the Kartik Krishna Trayodashi date begins after 11:01 AM today, the Nepal Calendar Determination Committee has stated that the Dhanteras or Dhantrayodashi festival should be observed today. This year, however, the Yam Deepdaan (lighting of lamps for Yama) will start tomorrow (Wednesday).
Professor Shree Krishna Adhikari Chairman of the Panchanga Nirnayak Bikas Samiti said that Kaag Tihar - the Crow Festival - also falls on Wednesday (October 30). According to the classical tradition, Dhanteras or Dhantrayodashi is celebrated on the morning of the Trayodashi or the 13 day, while Yam Deepdaan (lighting of lamps for Yama) begins on the evening when the Trayodashi date occurs.
Kukur Tihar, the festival of dogs, being celebrated (with photo...
"According to the classical provisions, Yam Deepdaan should begin on the evening of the day marked by Trayodashi, while Kaag Tihar should be celebrated in the morning on the day when Trayodashi coincides with sunrise. This decision has been made accordingly."
On the occasion of Yam Panchak, it is believed in the classical tradition that offering Yam Deepdaan grants liberation from the torments of Yama, the God of Death.
Professor Adhikari, Chairperson of the Nepal calendar determination committee, said that Dhanvantari Jayanti also falls on Wednesday. Due to the variation in dates, both Kukur Tihar and Laxmi Puja will be observed on Thursday, as per the committee.
Yam Deepdaan is performed based on the number of family members. Religious scholar Prof Dr Ram Chandra Gautam explained that it should be done facing south. According to traditional practices, Yam Deepdaan is to be carried out from Kartik Krishna Trayodashi until Kartik Shukla Dwitiya, the day of Bhai Tika.
On Thursday, October 31, Narak Snan (ritual bath) will be performed at dawn, followed by the celebration of Kukur Tihar in the morning. Committee Chairman Prof. Adhikari stated that Laxmi Puja should be conducted in the evening. Before dawn on Thursday, bathing is done with ‘apamarga’ (Achyranthes plant), known as Narak Snan. According to traditional beliefs, bathing ritually in the morning and lighting a lamp to float down the river will free one from the sufferings of hell.
Committee Chairman Prof Adhikari mentioned that Laxmi Puja must be performed on Thursday because the ‘Chaturdashi’ (14th lunar day) will last until 3:14 PM that day, followed by the ‘Aunsi’ (new moon) tithi. According to him, the traditional method is to perform Laxmi Puja on the night of the ‘Aunsi’ tithi. This year, the ‘Aunsi’ tithi on November 1 (Friday) will end at 5:15 PM, but no Tihar festivals fall on that day.
The Cow and Ox Puja falls on November 2 (Saturday). Halti Tihar, Govardhan Puja, Bali Puja, and ‘Atma’ (Mha) Puja also fall on the same day. According to traditional scriptures, Cow, Ox, Govardhan, and ‘Atma’ (Mha) Puja should be performed on the day of Kartik Shukla Pratipada. Based on the scriptural tradition of celebrating the New Year on the day of sunrise on Pratipada, Nepal Sambat 1145 will also begin from this day.
