The Festival of Lights | Birds | Animals and Nature

The Festival of Lights | Birds | Animals, and Nature

Popular as the “Festival of Lights” the festival of Tihar is celebrated with immense joy by Hindus all over the world during November/October. As the name suggests the festival is celebrated by lighting the traditional oil lamps called “Diyo” inside and outside the homes. Every household is decorated with flowers and lights. People visit these well-decorated houses to sing traditional songs called Deusi / Vailo” and the house owner treats them with money and food in return. Varieties of gifts and sweets are exchanged and firecrackers are cracked during this joyous festival.

Besides humanly joy and happiness, the festival brings together the other aspects of nature- animals, and colors. As a part of the festive rituals crows, dogs, cows, and oxen are worshiped across the country symbolizing them with the manifestation of various gods. They are fed well and treated with respect during this festival.

The day of Crows

Crows are considered the most intelligent bird. Hindu religion believes that they are the messenger of death. It is believed that if a crow caws sitting on a house in the morning, some bad will be heard. Hence pleasing them would avoid any news of death or sorrow.

For this reason, on the first day of the festival crows are feed with sweets, rice, etc by placing the food on rooftops early in the morning and prayed for good luck.  This day of the festival is known as “Kaag Tihar”.

The day of Dogs

The second day is the day of dogs known as “Kukur Tihar”. Hindus believe that the dogs are the guards of the god of death, Lord Yama. It is also believed that dogs can lead the soul of the dead to heaven. A similar story has been mentioned in the Hindu epic Mahabharat, where the protagonist Yudhistira went to heaven with his dog.

On this day people worship the dogs by placing flower garlands on them and offering them delicious food.

The day of Cows

The third day is called “Gai Tihar” and cows are worshiped on this day. Cows have great significance in Hindu culture. They are considered to be a form of goddess Laxmi who signifies wealth, fertility and motherhood. The festival is also called “Laxmi Puja”.

On this day the cows are fed and worshipped with garlands and tika early in the morning. In the evening they worship goddess Laxmi by illuminating their houses with oil lamps and bright lights.

The day of Oxen, Nature and a human soul

The fourth day of Tihar is celebrated as “Goru Puja” and oxen are fed and worshipped this day. The ox is also considered holy and the vehicle of Lord Shiva.

This day is also celebrated as “Goverdhan Puja” recalling the day lord Krishna lifted Goverdhan hill on his little finger to protect Gokul village from heavy rain and storm. The representation of trees, greenery, and hill in cow dung are worshiped to celebrate “Goverdhan Puja”.

Likewise in the Newari community of Nepal, this day is celebrated as “Mha Puja” worshiping own souls.

Bhai Tika

On this day sisters apply seven colors tika on their brother’s forehead wishing them prosperity and long life.

Festival and festive rituals are an incredible way of expressing gratitude in Nepalese culture. We have the tradition of treating parents, teachers, guests, and nature as gods. This auspicious festival is one of those customs of being grateful towards Mother Nature and her gift of life.

Tiger Encounter  wishes everyone a happy Tihar.

The Festival of Lights | Birds | Animals, and Nature