kukur tihar essay in nepali language

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Essay About Tihar Festival

What is Tihar?

Tihar also is known as Dipawali is one of the greatest festivals of Nepal. Not only Nepal, but it is also celebrated in Indian states. It generally falls in the month of October/November. Tihar is the second biggest festive celebration in Nepal after Dashain. It is known as Swanti among Newars and Diwali among the Madhesis community. This festival is known as the festival of lights. Lights are the prominent feature of this festival. Diyos are lit inside and outside of the house during the night. People keep their houses and surrounding very neat and clean. They decorate their house with flowers, pictures, and keep oil lamps burning at night. Moreover, different patterns and designs are also made on the floor using color, rice, sand, etc. known as Rangoli, which is regarded as the sign of welcome to Goddess Laxmi. The festival is celebrated for five days. Hence, it is known as Panchak.

The festival begins in Triyodashi of Karthik Krishna Paksha, a day is known as Kag Tihar, and ends in Dutiya of Kartik Sukla Paksha, a day is known as Bhai Tika. The first day is called the Kag Tihar. On this day, Crow or Kag is worshipped as the message carrier. Similarly on the second day known as Kukur Tihar¸people worship dogs as the protector of the houses and properties. According to the Hindu scripture, Yamaraj, the god of death is believed to have two dogs who were the guard of the Narga, the hell. So, People offer garlands, tika, and provide them food. The third day of Tihar is known as Laxmi Pooja. Goddess Laxmi is worshipped on this day.

Laxmi is regarded as the Goddess of fortune or wealth. So, in this day Cows are worshipped as an incarnation of Goddess Laxmi. They feed cows and offer garlands. It is believed that people can have a lot of wealth if Goddess Laxmi is pleased. So, Houses and surroundings are kept clean, decorations are done with garlands of Saya Patri and Makhamali. In the evening time, Goddess Laxmi is welcomed in the house by lighting different oil lamps or candles around the house so as to bring prosperity and wellbeing.

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At night, the girls enjoy dancing and singing known as Bhailo. They visit houses of neighbors all night collecting amount as the tip or the charity for them. On the fourth day, different poojas are performed depending on the people’s culture. Mainly, people worship oxen as a useful and faithful animal. The followers of Vaishnavism do Govardhan Pooja by worshipping the cow dung as the reflector to Govardhan Mountain. Moreover, in the evening the Newari Community performs the Maha Pooja(self-worship). The day marks the new year of the Nepal Sambat Calendar. Moreover, in this day people especially boys enjoy playing Deuso in which one person narrates the song and rests sings as a supporter.

The last day of the Tihar is known as Bhai Tika. On this day, sisters worship their brothers by putting Tika on the forehead and garland around the neck. It is done to wish for the long life and protection of the brothers. The Bhai Tika follows the tradition of circling the brother by dropping the oil from the pitcher esp. copper one, putting oil on the hair of brothers, and applying seven color tikas( Saptarangi Tika ). They also present the gifts along with the sweets, fruits, and other specialty food items. Those without brothers or sisters, join their relatives for the Tika.

A legend Dipawali has that the lord King of Death – Yamraj went to his sister and stayed there for five days. His sister hailed him heartily and offered a tika and garland around his neck. She provided delicious food, she wished for his peace, progress, and long life. Hence, the sisters worship the Yamraj before worshipping their brothers at Tihar. It is believed that the life span of the brothers lengthens if they worship the Yamraj. This is how it is a festival of joy and jubilation. Similarly, it is an occasion to strengthen the tie-up between brothers and sisters.

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Kukur Tihar

The second biggest festival celebrated in Nepal is Tihar. This festival is celebrated for five consecutive days from the Triayodashi of Krishnapakchya in the month of Kartik. This period of five days is also known as Yamapanchak. There is a Mythological legend about Yama Panchak which states, that the son of Lord Surya and the god of death, Yamraj, came to Yamuna his sister’s house at Martyalok (earth), and stayed as her guest during these five days as her guest and after Bhai Tika, receiving seven colors tika on his forehead from his sister returned to Yamaoka. On the first day of Yamapanchak, the messenger angel of Yamraj, the Crow is duly worshiped and given a delicious meal while on the second day, or the day of the Kartik Krishnapakchya Chaturdashi (Kukur Tihar), the Dog considered as doorkeeper or guard is too duly worshiped by giving a delicious meal with an offering of garland around his neck. According to legend, the dog who is the gatekeeper of Yamraj in Yamlok, if today is worshipped, it is a common belief that it will give or show the way to heaven after one’s death. At the end of the Dwapar Yug (dwapar epoch), there is a reference in History and Mythology that when Pandavas were going to Heaven, along with four brothers and Draupadi, Yudhisthir’s wife died on their way, Dharmaraj Yudhishthir was led and taken to the door of heaven by a dog.

In general practice also, dogs are treated as obedient, helpful, and protective of humans. Thus, this day’s festival of Kukur Tihar honors dogs who assist people in their tasks ranging from home care and security to crime prevention, and special investigations to control criminals.

The acts to be performed during Narak Chaturdashi – Kukur Tihar

Karthik Krishnapaksa’s Chaturdashi, Kukur Tihar date is known as Narak Chaturdashi. On this day, there is a traditional scripture law of (अभ्यङ्गस्नान = ritual bath) bathing anointing with oil in the early morning to get rid of hell. In the morning, before the light of the sun, the body should be bathed after rubbing the body with sesame oil, aromatic substances, sandalwood, etc. On this day Goddess Lakshmi is in the sesame and Ganga in the water, thus all the sins are destroyed by this bathing ritual followed by rubbing the body with sesame oil, etc as mentioned in the previous line and, the classical statement states one would not need to see or visit hell. Before bathing, prickly chaff flowers (अपामार्ग = Apamarga) leaves should be submerged in water and rotated around the heads. Addressing the chaff flower leaves, saying, the number of rotations I make of you around my head, please take away my sins of the same number. The scriptures mention this ritual to be performed by reciting the mantra mentioned below.

सीतालोष्टसमायुक्तः सकण्टकदलान्वितः। हर पापमपामार्ग भ्राम्यमाणः पुनः पुनः।।

After the ritual bathing, one should bow and give tarpan (यमतर्पण= Yama Tarpan) (satiating with water/sate) to Yamraj with his fourteen names mentioned below. The scriptures mention, facing the southern direction, with one’s Janau / Janai on the Sabya (Janau worn the correct way) the offering of water mixed with sesame seeds three times to each of the names of Yamaraj will liberate from the sins committed during a year.

१. यमाय नमः। २. धर्मराजाय नमः। ३. मृत्यवे नमः। ४. अन्तकाय नमः। ५. वैवस्वताय नमः। ६. कालाय नमः। ७. सर्वभूतक्षयाय नमः। ८. औदुम्बराय नमः। ९. दध्नाय नमः। १०. नीलाय नमः। ११. परमेष्ठिने नमः। १२. वृकोदराय नमः। १३. चित्राय नमः। १४. चित्रगुप्ताय नमः।

There is a Scriptural and theological injunction that those who have their father alive also need to perform this offering to Yamaraj. Eating or consuming food with the green leaves of black gram today is reported to be of great benefit. Donations of oil lamps during the evening time are also of great importance, the same as those of ritual baths and Yama tarpan as mentioned above on this day of Narak Chaturdasi. According to the instructions mentioned in Skanda Purana, the temple and monasteries of the gods as Brahma, Bishnu, Shiva, Ganesh, Durga, etc. during the evening before (Pradosh) darkness falls Deepawali (lighting oil lamps) must to be performed. Similarly, to get rid of hell, one should make donations, reciting the mantra below by lighting lamps made out of four threads of wool, dedicated to the love of Yamraj.

दत्तो दीपश्चतुर्दश्यां नरकप्रीतये मया। चतुर्वर्तिसमायुक्तः सर्वपापानुपत्तये।।

According to mythological narration, the monster named Narakasur had been abducting celestial nymphs and gods, humans and Gandharvas (celestial singers/ musicians) 16 thousand girls/nephews and was holding them in captivity by hiding them in an outrageous manner. One day, while fleeing after robbing ear ornaments of the Goddess Aditi, Lord Krishna killed Narakasur and freed 16 thousand girls and later, he even married everyone in order to make the girls live a respectable life in society. Legend has it that the tradition of observing Narak Chaturdashi by donating oil lamps was started in the event of Narakasur being slaughtered by Lord Krishna and freeing the girls from Narakasurs bondage. To Read this article in the Nepali Language please click here. 

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Kukur Tihar (Kukur Puja): the Nepalese Festival that Celebrates Dogs

by Kirsty | November 10, 2015 | Festivals & Celebrations , Nepal | 2 comments

Honouring Dogs in Nepal at Kukur Tihar Festival

Did you know that there is a day in Nepal dedicated solely to thanking dogs for their loyalty and friendship? It’s called Kukur Tihar, and means ‘worship of the dogs’. In 2020, Kukur Tihar is on Saturday, 14th November.

Also known as Kukur Puja, Kukur Tihar is held on the second day of the Hindu festival Tihar (it’s celebrated as Diwali in India), and it’s devoted to pampering man’s (and woman’s) best friends. Interestingly, the first day is dedicated to crows …

Although Diwali is celebrated all over the Hindu world, Kukur Tihar is unique to Nepal. Dogs are believed to be messengers of Lord Yamaraj, the God of Death, and are worshipped once a year on this day.

The role of dogs in Hindu custom

In the ancient Hindu texts Rigveda, Samara, (the mother of dogs), assists Indra, (the ruler of heaven), in retrieving stolen cattle. Tradition teaches that dogs are the protector of Yama, the lord of the dead, and guardians of the afterlife.

People decorate dogs with flower garlands, apply red tikas on their foreheads and offer them inviting food to acknowledge the cherished relationship between humans and dogs.

Tihar is a five-day Hindu festival, but the second day, known as Kukur Puja, is reserved for the most loyal of companions…

Celebrating Kukur Tihar festival in Nepal

During the festival ceremonies, people offer garlands as a sign of respect for the animals. It’s not just domestic pets that are recognised – animals that work in public service, such as police dogs, are held in high esteem and thanked for their hard work.

Dogs are marked on their foreheads with a  tika as a sign of sacredness.

Because dogs really are ‘man’s best friend’ …

The images honouring these four-legged animals are truly heart-warming and you really don’t need to be a dog-lover to appreciate them.

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The photographs in this are from the free and open source article: There Is An Annual Festival In Nepal That Thanks Dogs For Being Our Friends . Permission is granted to republish this article under a  Creative Commons  license with attribution to the author,  The Mind Unleashed  and   TrueActivist.com .

I LOVE that. I love dogs so I find it heart-warming that a culture would celebrate dogs that way. Wonderful pics.

Frank (bbqboy)

It’s cute isn’t it. Mark’s a real dog lover too and I find him befriending strays all over the world! 😉

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Nepali Class

Tihar, what are the 5 days of tihar.

Tihar is the second biggest festival in Nepal. The five-days-long festival falls in either September or October. Each of the five days are specially dedicated to a living being. The first day is dedicated to a bird, crow. The second day is dedicated to dog, a very good pet of human kind. The third day is for cow, fourth day is dedicated to ox and the fifth is the day of brothers and sisters.

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The festival is an indication of how the people in Nepal give importance to other living things. The festival also shows the cultural significance of animals and birds in Nepal.

5 Days of Tihar:

• Kaag Tihar (Crow’s Day)
• Kukur Tihar (Dog’s Day)
• Gai Tihar, Laxmi Puja, Deepawali (Cow’s Day)
• Govardan Puja, Mha Puja

First Day of Tihar – Kaag Tihar

On the day, food is given to crow and worshipped. The crow is considered to bring news to the people. They worship the bird and tell it to bring only the good news.

In addition to the traditional belief, scientifically, crow is helpful to the farmers as it eats damaging bugs and saves the crops. Crow is also an important part of the ecology.

Second Day of Tihar – Kukur Tihar

On the second day, dogs are worshiped in Nepal. The dos is considered one of the most faithful domestic animal. Traditionally dogs have been kept at homes to keep the home safe from bad people. Dogs usually scare away thugs and thieves and it is also a good friend of the owner.

Third Day of Tihar – Laxmi Pooja (Gai Tihar)

The third day is special day in the festival. On the day, the goddess of wealth, Laxmi is worshipped. On the day, homes are cleaned and decorated by flowers and lights. It is believed that Laxmi likes light in homes and she visits the homes that look attractive. The safe and wealth are worshipped, foods are offered to the Goddess and people play cards on the day.

Youngsters, specially girls, go door-to-door to sing Bhaili song and dance. The owner of the home give food and money to the group. The song goes like:

Bhailini Aain Aangana Guniyo Cholo Maganaa Hey Aunshi Baara, Gai Tihara Bhailo

Fourth Day of Tihar – Govardhan Pooja

The fourth day is the day of ox. On the day, Newar community people perform a self-worship ceremony called Mha Pooja. On the occasion, people worship oneself and celebrate by eating special cuisine and drinks. The Newar community also celebrate their new on the day.

Like the girls on Gai Tihar, boys go door-to-door on the fourth day of Tihar to sing Deusi. The special singing and dancing program is done by a group of people in which one leads by saying a statement, and others add “Deusi Re”.

An example of Deusi looks like:

Bhana Bhana Bhai ho Deusi Re Ramrari Bhana Deusi Re Swor Milai kana Deusi Re

These days, in some groups, a full performance of music and dancing are performed by artists. The owner of the house gives money and foods to the performers.

Fift Day of Tihar – Bhai Tika

The last and the most important day of Tihar is Bhai Tika. On the day, sisters offer Tika to their brothers and brothers do the same to their sisters. Brothers offer gifts and presents to their sisters and sisters give foods to their brother.

It is believed that sisters love towards their brothers help them in difficult situations. The tika is believed to keep the brothers safe and a long life.

Important things in Tihar

• Cards and Kauda (games of chance)
• Makhamali flower
• Sayapatri flower (Marigold)
• Mala (flower garland)
• Diyo (oil candle)
• Langur Burja Game
• Deusi and Bhailo
• Ping (Swing)

Tihar festival photo highlights:

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