November 14, 2024, Thursday
Nepal 1:37:26 pm

Importance of Deepawali, the festival of lights

The Nepal Weekly
October 29, 2024

The five-day festival of lights, known as Tihar is commencing from Wednesday. This festival is celebrated starting on the day of Kartik Krishna Paksha Trayodashi called Kaag Tihar and ending on Bhaitika (on the 5th day) of Dwitiya Tithi of Shukla Paksha or Fulll Moon day. It is also known as Diwali and Dipawali. This festival is celebrated by Hindus in many countries in the world including Nepal and India. These five days are also known as Yamapanchak. As the legend goes on saying Yamaraj, the God of Death, received hospitality at his sister Yamuna’s house. According to the mythological stories of the Hindu scriptures, Yamraj, the son of Surya accepted the invitation of his sister Yamuna and went to her sister’s house to celebrate the five days festival. Staying like this, Yamaraj was very pleased with Yamuna’s treatment and said to her sister Yamuna, “Ask whatever you want.” Also, she asked for the love between brothers and sisters to deepen and unwavering and the life and fame of brothers and sisters will also increase.

Tihar, the festival to worship the Nature

Tihar/Deepawali – LamaKarma.net

On the first day is celebrated Kaag Tihar, the day of the crow, known as the informant of Yama is worshipped. The second day of Tihar known as Kukur Tihar is for worshiping the dogs as the agents of Yama. The third day of the festival is known as Gai Tihar and Laxmi Puja. On this day cow is offered prayers and fed fruits, bread and floor in the morning. In the evening, Laxmi Puja, dedicated to the Goddess of wealth and fortune, is performed. House is illuminated with oil lamps, candles, and colorful rangoli designs to welcome Goddess Laxmi. The fourth day is for the draft animal, oxen when the Newari community also performs Mha Puja dedicated to one’s own self. On fifth day, it is customary for sisters to worship their brothers and apply seven-colored tika and garlands on their foreheads. In return, brothers present gifts to their sisters and receive their blessings.

 Deusi Bhailo a traditional performance that takes place during third and fourth day of tihar.  These groups typically receive offerings such as fruits, -sel roti, and cash, collectively known as “Dakshina. It is widely believed that when the Deusi-Bhailo groups experience joy, it brings happiness to the goddess of wealth, Laxmi.

Commercial aspects:

As Tihar is approaching, the business of dry fruits, flower garland, clay pottery, lights has started to boom in the market. Even though Nepal is claiming to be self-sufficient in flowers, it is learnt that there will be a shortage of flowers in this year’s festival. There will be a shortage of flowers due to the loss equivalent to 12 million rupees in flower cultivation due last month’s floods and landslides. According to Floriculture Association of Nepal (FAN), about 45 lakh garlands are being supplied in the market during Tihar.

Dryfruits is sold in large quantities during Tihar. The price of dry fruits have increased by 20-25 percent this ahead of Deepawali festival. Traders have imported bhai masala in large quantities from different countries for the purpose of Tihar. Dry fruits are imported from India, China, Vietnam, America, Indonesia, Thailand and other countries. The price of cashew nut has increased from Rs. 1,600 per kg to Rs. 2,200 and the price of pesta has gone up from Rs. 1,800 to Rs, 2,300 per kg. Similarly, the price of almond has gone up from Rs. 1,300 to Rs. 1,600 and the price of wall nut has increased to Rs. 600 from Rs. 500 per kg in Kathmandu’s market.