Tihar: From darkness towards Light
Dipawali or Tihar as called normally is the fesdtival of lights. Celebrated on the dark nights of Kartik Krishna Trayodashi, Chaturdashi, Aunsi, Sukla Pratipada and the Dwitiya, the five days are the days of the last three dark nights before new moon and the last two days are the beginning days of the full moon, symbolosing the progression from the dark towards light …. tamasoma Jyotirgamaya.
Though all the Hindus celebrate this festival, for Nepalis it is second greatest festival to Dashain celebrated a month ago.
The five day celebration, also called called Deepmalaika or Panchak, the five days dedicated to the god of death Yama, is also celebrated by worshipping crow, dog, cow, oxen and finally to the brothers.
Culture is a practical aspect of life, where people celebrate certain festivals or honour certain people and birds animals or nature like rivers and mountain for their contribution.
Tihar is more a festival of fun and respecting relationships than religion.
The first day of the festival, Kartik Krishna Trayodashi, the thirteenth day of the wanning moon of Kartik, according to the Lunar calendar, is popularly called Kag Tihar, a day to worship crow.
On this day crow, the messanger of Yamaraj, the god of death, according to the Puranic legends, is worshipped and offered delicacies.
Hindu scriptures have respected every living being as a form of god himself. Soul is the god and a body is a vehicle or like clothes that is changed every time a being dies, explains Hindu philosophy. Every living being is mortal. So, death should also be celebrated as the being will get new vehicle or cloth and come back to earth again.
To the modern day people environment is a prime concern and worshipping of birds and the animal is an ancient Hindu way environmental preservation.
The second day is called Kukur Tihar, a day to worship dog. Dog is a faithful animal and has a lots of associations with human. Dog, according to the Hindu scriptures, is also a messenger of the god of death, Yamaraj.
On the same day, Puran has it that Lord shree Krishna killed Narakasur, a demon. So the day is also called Narak Chaturdashi.
The rivers are flooded by the light flowed by the people in the dawn, called Narke bagaunu.
On the third day, the new moon day of the dark nights, people worship Laxmi, the goddess of wealth by lighting oil-lamps and candles in and around the houses. The dark night seems lively on the earth due to the flickering lights all over. It seems that all the heavenly twinkling stars are fallen to the earth and are spread over on the earth.
In the morning the cow, also regarded as mother by the Hindu scriptures is worshipped and offered various deluicacieas.
In the evening, the goddess of wealth is worshipped for wealth and prosperity that are essential on earth and keep vigil.
The girls in a group visit door-to-door asking alms in the name of Bali, a Puranic demon. It is called Bhailini.
On the forth day of Tihar, Kartik Sukla Pratipada people worship Govardin Hill made of cow dung. So, the day is celebrated as the Govardhan Puja. According to the tradition cows and oxen are also worshipped this day.
Puranas have it that, the inhabitants of Gokul, in Dwapara Yug, used to worship Lord Indra the raingod for their farming activities. But Lord Krishna manage to redirect their worship to Govardhan hill.
Lord Indira took this as an insult. And sent torrential rainfall. The village was nearly drowned. The people in Gokul asked Krishna for help. The Lord lifted Govardhan Hill as an Umbrella on his finger to save village and the people from the heavy rain.
Lord Indra repented for his act. And the tradition of worshipping Govardhan Hill started.
Agricultural countries like Nepal depend pretty much on oxen and cows. According to a Hindu Scriputre- Barsha Kriya, oxen are worshipped with Bali Raja- a puranic demon King.
The locals in the Kathmandu valley celebrate Mha-Puja. In the evening Newars celebrate Mha Puja worshipping their own self with varieties of sweets, fruits, flowers, egg, fish etc.
In Nepal Mandal this puja has great importance. Soul is the real God. And Body is the physical from of it. Thus we have to honour our body. Soul never dies and never borns only the body dies and the body is a vehicle of soul.
On this day people take bath, cleanse themselves and worship
-first to the Mandap, they have made on the ground, then they take Tika and worship the self by offering fried eggs. The elder woman of the family performs it first then the others follow.
The self is worshipped for longevity and healthy life.
On this day the new year of Nepal Sambat starts.
A noble called Sankhadar Sakwa lived 1121 years ago in Kathmandu valley. The farmers at that time being very poor had lost of debt from the merchants. Sankhadhar Sakhwa generously paid all the debts, and the farmers started celebrating the day to mark their new life as the New Year.
Nepal Sambat was in practice till Malla regin in Kathmandu valley. The government has declared Sankhadhar Sakhwa, the National Hero.
In the evening male folks visit their neighbourhood in the groups singing Deusi and asking for alms in the name of Bali Raja. This is a unique tradition in Nepali society. All the family members in the houses wait for these youngsters to visit their houses and sing Deusi.
In the dark night the lights are seen twinkling in and around every household. The Deusi song can be heard here and there. The children are busy enjoying fire-crackers, and lighting Deeps. That makes Tihar even more enjoyable.
