KATHMANDU, Nov 1: This year’s Tihar has come with an end with Bhaitika on Tuesday. The five-day festival is considered to be of great importance as it shows reverence to not just the humans and the Gods, but also to the animals like crows, cows and dogs who maintain an intense relationship with humans.
The first day of the Yamapanchak is observed as Kaag Tihar by feeding crows, regarded as messengers in the Nepali society.
The second day is Kukur Tihar (worship of the dogs), the third Gai Tihar and Laxmi Pooja (worship of the cows in the morning and Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth in the Hindu mythology in the evening and the fourth day Goru Pooja (worship of the oxen), and Maha Pooja (worship of own soul) in the Newar community while the fifth and final day is Bhaitika.
Here are five selected photographs from this year’s Tihar.
Flowers and fruits of Tihar
A police dog, with a garland of flowers and vermillion powder on its forehead, displays skills during Tihar festival celebrations at a police kennel division in Kathmandu. (AP)
A view of Kathmandu Valley on Laxmi Puja as seen from Swoyambhu, Kathmandu. (RSS)
A view of Kathmandu Valley on Laxmi Puja as seen from Swoyambhu, Kathmandu. (RSS)
A young Hindu priest crawls under a cow as part of worship rituals during Tihar festival in Kathmandu. (AP)
President Bidya Devi Bhandari offers Bhaitika to her brother Degendra Pandey at Sheetal Niwas, Kathmandu. (RSS)
