Mero Dhangadhi

ollebosse:

Nepal 4:100 - Harmony by Slightly Amazing Grace on Flickr.

windhorse:

Durbar Square, Kathmandu

Just yesterday I was telling you guys about how people are cooking their meals over firewood since there is a massive fuel shortage due to the Indian blockade of the border. And today I get a picture of my own grandmother cooking her holiday meal over a makeshift brick firewood “stove” in her balcony (from which you can literally see the country’s Prime Minister’s Palace just meters away). This is getting out of hand and it’s making life very very difficult for all Nepalis. Hopefully it ends soon and life can return back to normal.

brittanyemyers:

Ama Dablan, Kangtega & Thamserku - Khumbu, Nepal 2015 

Greetings: Tihar 2013

nepalgo:

The second biggest festival of Nepal has Started! That is right! Tihar, also known as ‘Dipawali’ or ‘Festival of Lights’ starts from today (1st November '13). Tihar is a Five Day festival, but sometimes it gets reduced to 3 days (like last year and the year before that). This year, Tihar is on for full five days! 

Tihar is dedicated to Laxmi and Yamaraj. The animals that we worship on this day are all messengers of Yamaraj.

The first day of Tihar is known as 'Kaag Tihar’ (काग तिहार) which means 'Worshipping-day of Crows’. In this day, we worship Crows (duh!). During the Monarchical Times, there used to be a holiday on Kaag Tihar and kukur tihar, but nowadays, there is no holiday. Poor us…

The second day of Tihar is known as 'Kukur Tihar’ (कुकुर तिहार) which, as you might have guessed, we honour Dogs! If you have a Pet dog, then they are worshipped on this day.

The third day of Tihar is known as 'Laxmi Puja’ (लक्ष्मी पुजा) where we worship Goddess Laxmi. Laxmi is the Goddess of Wealth and it is believed that if we light up our homes with 'Diyo’, then she will visit our houses and bestow us with good fortune. Diyo is an earthen or a metal container filled with oil with a wick attached to it. You can see one here. Anyways, on this day, young girls (i mean female children) visit homes and sing songs and dance which is together known as 'Bhaili’ or 'Bhailo’. Then they collect the money offered as a token of appreciation. Also, on this day, Cow is worshipped because Cow is the messenger of Goddess Laxmi. Garland of marigold flowers are hung in doorways and gates. Also, Marigold is the flower of Tihar. 

On this day, all valuables of the home like jewelries are worshipped. The city is illuminated by lights of all sorts: Electrical Lights, Lamps, Candles etc. On Electrical Lights: We use them nowadays and since they usually play the melody of 'Merry Christmas’ (because in the west, lights are used to decorate Trees), it is not uncommon to hear Merry Christmas tunes!

Selroti, a type of bread made with rice, is cooked and eaten on this day.

The fourth day is known as 'Govardhan Puja’ (गोवर्धन पुजा) for people who worship Krishna,'gohru puja’ (गोह्रु तिहार) for others and 'Maha puja’ (म्ह पुजा) for the newari community. On this day, the Krishna worshippers worship govardhan which a small hill made up of Cow dung. Govardhan is actually a hill lifted by Krishna, but that is a story by itself. The others worship Oxen 'Gohru’ and The Newars worship themselves. Yup, themselves, that’s why 'mah’ puja. I don’t know what to say about this one, I am not a Newar! 0:-)

Also, boys come around houses and sing 'Deusi’, essentially the male version of Bhailo. It is fun, really!

'Eh bhana bhana bhai ho ! Deusuray!’

'Eh Ramrari bhana ! Deusuray!’

The fifth Day is known as 'Bhai Tika’ (भाई टिका) . On this day, sisters place a rainbow coloured 'tika’ on their brother’s forehead. It is believed that this ensures the brother will be protected from harm. Bhai Tika is the final day of Tihar. Legend says that Yamaraj (god of death)  visited his sister during this day and he was so content, it is said that he would not take anyone (to afterlife) on this day (something like that). The ceremony is kind of complex. Before the ritual begins, Walnut is cracked and a special garland made of ’Makhmali’ flower (Purple Globe Amarant/ Gomphrena globosa) which does not wilt even after months. [Personal Opinion: It is a bit of nuisance, it keeps poking the neck!]

Sisters walk in circles around their brothers and then they start the ritual of keeping tika. Finally, Sisters give 'Masala’, mixure of dried fruits and the Men give a token of appreciation (usually money). 

Thus Tihar comes to an end this way. 

THE DATES

1 November 2013: Kaag Tihar

2 November 2013: Kukur Tihar

3 November 2013: Laxmi Puja

4 November 2013: Govardhan Puja

5 November 2013: Bhai Tika

To greet people for Tihar, say 'Happy Tihar’ or in Nepali 'तिहारको शुभकामना’ (tihar ko shubhakamana)

Happy Tihar Everyone!

nepalgo:

Tihar Lights. View from my rooftop.

That place is called ‘Kapan’ and, which used to a dark place usually, is now filled with lights. This is the awesomeness of Tihar. It brings on a festive joy unparalleled by any other. 

Happy Tihar Everyone!