Sas -: Let’s use Tihar instead of Dipawali

Oct 17, 2006

Let’s use Tihar instead of Dipawali

Tihar is the festival of Lights. It is observed with great pomp and show among the Hindus, especially in Nepal and India. Tihar is the second biggest festival of Hindus in Nepal after Dashain. However, it ranks first as Dipawali among the people of India. The magnificence of light in this festival has also made it the common festival among Buddhists and Muslims as well to some extent.

Despite Dipawali myths based on harvesting season of crops, it has been overshadowed by the pomp of light and worship to the money. Tihar was celebrated by the people in the past to celebrate that their crops at the field are ripe and the muddy rainy season is over. But now, people observe it as the festival to show respect to and worship the money, which has become the most important and integral phenomenon of everyday life. Hence, this festival credits its importance as an occasion to pay respect to it and its Goddess Laxmi.

Earlier, people illumined oil fed batis on hand knit Dunas. The candles replaced Battis (Such lights) and later electric and colorful lights seem to occupy the places. However, a little practice of the Diyo is still enlivened by some people. (Pic. 1), with imitation of the neighborly culture, Dipawali has been widely used for Tihar. It is said Diwali as well in India. There is a diference between Dipawali and Tihar. When we say Tihar, it includes all five days of Yama Panchak: from Kag Tihar (Crow Festival) to Bhaitika (Brothers’ festival). It stands for unique Nepali culture. But when we say Dipawali, only the culture of lights is focused, and probably, includes the major day of Laxmi Pooja with highest illuminations. So, if we mean to observe this festival under influence of our own unique culture, the word Tihar has got to live and it is our responsibility to keep its glory intact.

Illumined Diyo, our unique cultural asset.

Hurried for Tihar, wanna make large money on Bhaili this year.

It’s not an advertisement: Grand discount for Tihar

Wow Ratnapark: prepared for Tihar movement

We have to hurry for Tihar

How much does this cost?

On Sale! Bhai Masala is ready.

Bhai Tika: Please do the favor to me, buy one.

Anything you order, Please.

Very spicy.

Candles! Instead of Diyo.

This one I like.

Plastic garlands! Can be used during Tihar.

This one for me.

Stock of utensils.

A view via Tundal of a temple at Asan

A rush at Asan

Does anybody come to buy from us?

Did u notice? An artistic Krishna temple at Asan.

Happy Tihar.

All Pashmina shawls and Kurta Salwars

Foggy Asan

Tihar Bonanza: Many bikes on lottery

Here are more prizes.

I am not: A girl with a piece of food in her mouth, inside the window of Aakash Bhairab

A Tundal at Aakash Bhairab.

I am at penance: Another Tundal at Askash Bhairab.

Rani Pokhari: prepared to host the collective Chai Tika

Welcome to Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square area

No entry except Mobikes: A traffic sign at the wall of a private house.

Ballons in front of Bhairab.

Tourists and Kathmanduists at Hanumandhoka area.

Can you believe? A large Peepal tree roots from a temple.

Baba Guru Gorakhnath: the feet of Baba Guru Gorakhnath, supposed to be the preacher of Machhindranath, the lord of rains. The feet are housed inside the temple shown in above pic.

A temple

I also want to be like you. Bishnu Dai makes gossips with Babas at Hanuman Dhoka premise.

I am the follower of Bam Bhole.

Me too.

And what about me?

And me?

Birds at the top of the temple.

The Communication herald: This bell is supposed to be the oldest means of communication used by Kathmandu valley people. There is also the myth that as far as the sound of the bell was heard, people didn’t plough their land with bullocks. The myth is still working and most people in and around the Kathmandu valley don’t plough their land. But manually dig, indeed.