Kathmandu: With the celebration of Tihar tika, also known as Bhaitika, this year’s Tihar festival concluded on Thursday. Though Tihar, also called the Yamapanchak, is traditionally observed for five days, this year the festival extended over six days due to overlapping dates, as explained by astrologers. On the final day of the Tihar festival, sisters offered tika to their brothers, wishing them happiness, long life, and prosperity.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the auspicious hour for offering the tika this year was 11:39 am. However, there were no restrictions on observing the tika throughout the day. Astrological beliefs suggest that those in leadership positions in the State should observe the tika at the auspicious hour, as stated by Prof Dr Devmani Bhattarai, a member of the Nepal Calendar Determination Committee.
To observe the Bhaitika, brothers are seated at a specially anointed place around which a trail of mustard oil is drawn. Sisters then offer their brothers tika and garlands made of ‘dubo’, ‘marigold’, and ‘makhamali’. After placing colorful tika on their brothers’ foreheads, sisters treat them with a variety 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 gifts. Prof. Dr. Bhattarai highlighted that astrologically, worshipping one’s sisters is believed to bring immense fortune and prosperity. Even those without brothers or sisters received tika from individuals they regard as siblings.
The Balgopaleshwor Temple in Ranipokhari was opened for the Bhaitika celebration on Sunday. The temple opens only once a year, providing an opportunity for those without sisters to receive tika. During the festival of lights, color, and flowers, even birds and animals such as crows, dogs, and oxen were worshipped. Another significant day of the festival, Laxmipuja, was also celebrated with enthusiasm across the country.