Here comes the humming of a bee Like a bubbling water sprouts Festivities, in minds and hearts Colorful bazaar and heavy bags

KATHMANDU, Oct 24: Film actor Najir Hussian, to go by his surname, obviously belongs to a Muslim family. But every year during the Tihar festival, Najir receives tika from Saru Rai, whom he considers his non-biological sister. The two remember celebrating Tihar together since their earliest days, or since the last 27 years to be more precise.

Be it marigold blossoms, the hums of deusi-bhailo songs, overwhelming trails of lights or unpredicted burst of firecrackers, they all are indicators that Tihar is just around the corner. Tihar, also called Deepawali’, is a five-day festival celebrated in honor of Yama–the god of death and Lakshmi–the goddess of wealth and domination. A festival of lights, Tihar is mainly about lights, gifts, feasts and firecrackers.

GORKHA, Oct 8:  Pramod Shrestha of Bhimsen Rural Municipality-8, Ghatbesi keeps travelling from Kathmandu to Gorkha during festivals like Dashain, Tihar and Makar Sankranti. Recently, he was travelling in a public bus when the helper forced him to get off on the way instead of taking him to his destination.

GORKHA, Oct 9: Pramod Shrestha of Bhimsen Rural Municipality-8, Ghatbesi keeps travelling from Kathmandu to Gorkha during festivals like Dashain, Tihar and Makar Sankranti. Recently, he was travelling in a public bus when the helper forced him to get off on the way instead of taking him to his destination.

If mythology gave conflicting messages and depicted women as weak, men have been no better, always laying down rules for women to follow

“Previously one used to paint Naags (snakes) all day with the help of a wooden base, while printed pictures are used these days,” said priest Krishna Prasad Bhattarai. In addition, priests used to make janai and doro (sacred threads), the latter by mixing Kesar powder with the originally white threads, with their hands.

With the onset of New Year, Nepalis await a trail of festivals. Nepal is a country adorned with diverse culture, while 123 languages are spoken within the territory. These festivals reflect our cultural identity and are reminder of solidarity. Among other months, Shrawan marks several auspicious occasions celebrated across the country. This year, major Shrawan festivals, including Janai Purnima, Rakshya Bandhan and Naag Panchami have arrived in package on Friday.

SRINAGAR, India, Sept 13: Two anti-India protesters were killed and scores were injured in clashes with security forces in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir on Tuesday, police said, as a security lockdown marred Eid festivities in the disputed region.