Kathmandu: With the celebration of Bhaitika, the five-day Tihar festival concluded on Sunday. Bhaitika is the final and major day of the Tihar festival on which sisters offer tika to their brothers, wishing them happiness, long life, and prosperity.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the auspicious hour for offering the tika was 11:37 am for this year’s Bhaitika. However, it could take place until sunset, as stated by Prof Shree Krishna Adhikari, Chairperson of the National Calendar Determination Committee. To observe the Bhaitika, brothers sit at a specially anointed place where a trail of mustard oil is drawn around them. Sisters then offer their brothers tika and garlands made of ‘dubo’ and ‘makhamali’. After placing the colorful tika on their brothers’ foreheads, sisters treat them with varieties of sweets, walnuts, spices, and ‘Sel’, a special kind of bread cooked in oil.
Brothers also reciprocate by offering tika to their sisters, wishing them happiness and good luck, and giving them presents. E
ven those without siblings receive tika from others whom they regard as brothers and sisters. The Balgopaleshwor Temple in Ranipokhari was open for the Bhaitika celebration on Sunday, marking the only day it opens within the year.
During the festival of lights, color, and flowers, birds and animals such as crows, dogs, and oxen were worshipped. Another significant day of the festival, Laxmipuja, was celebrated with fanfare across the country.