{"id":40983,"date":"2026-10-26T09:11:07","date_gmt":"2026-10-26T09:11:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coldfeetadventure.com\/blog\/?p=40983"},"modified":"2026-10-26T09:38:00","modified_gmt":"2026-10-26T09:38:00","slug":"tihar-in-nepal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coldfeetadventure.com\/blog\/tihar-in-nepal\/","title":{"rendered":"Tihar in Nepal: Five Days, Five Ways of Saying Thank You"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Tihar is approaching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Known as the festival of lights, Tihar is celebrated over five days. Each day has its own rituals, from feeding crows and honouring dogs to worshipping Laxmi, the goddess of wealth, and celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters. In the evenings, groups of young people go from house to house singing Deusi and Bhailo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tihar is one of those festivals that makes more sense when you experience it in a neighbourhood or a family home. The rituals are important, but so are the visits, the food, the songs and the excitement that carries on after dark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2026, Tihar runs from 7 to 11 November, with Bhai Tika falling on 11 November. Here is what happens during the festival and what you can expect if you are in Nepal at this time of year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 1: Kaag Tihar \u2014 The Crow<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first day of Tihar is dedicated to the crow. People leave rice, grains and sweets on rooftops, in courtyards or outside their homes as offerings to the birds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Hindu tradition, crows are associated with Yama, the god of death, and are believed to carry messages. Feeding them is a way of showing respect and seeking protection from misfortune.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is something unusual about beginning a festival by honouring a bird that most of us spend the rest of the year trying to keep away from our food. For one day, the crow gets its share of attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 2: Kukur Tihar \u2014 The Dog<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The second day honours dogs for their loyalty and companionship. Dogs are decorated with flower garlands and receive tika and special food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dogs have an important place in Hindu mythology. They are associated with Bhairav and are also linked to Yama’s realm. The day recognises their loyalty and their place in our lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
second day of tihar honors dogs<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you are in Nepal during Kukur Tihar, you will probably see dogs wearing bright orange garlands as they make their way through the streets. Even dogs without owners are included in the celebrations.In the evening, families celebrate Laxmi Puja, welcoming the goddess of wealth and prosperity into their homes. Houses are cleaned and illuminated with oil lamps, candles and lights. Rangoli designs decorate entrances, and people leave a path of light to welcome Laxmi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 3: Gai Tihar \u2014 The Cow <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cows are honoured for their importance in Hindu tradition and everyday life. They receive tika, garlands and food as offerings of gratitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Children and young people also visit homes singing Bhailo, one of the traditional forms of Tihar singing. Hosts give them money, fruit, sweets or food in return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2026, Kukur Tihar and Laxmi Puja fall on 8 November, while Gai Tihar falls on 9 November. Festival observances can overlap or fall on different calendar days from year to year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 4: Goru Tihar and Mha Puja \u2014 The Ox and the Self<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The fourth day honours the ox, an animal whose labour has traditionally helped farmers plough fields and grow food. Oxen receive tika, garlands and food, recognising their contribution to agricultural life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Newar community of the Kathmandu Valley also celebrates Mha Puja on this day. Mha Puja means the worship of the self and marks the beginning of Nepal Sambat, the Newar calendar year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Families prepare mandalas on the floor and perform rituals honouring their own bodies and lives. The practice reflects the importance of recognising and caring for oneself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although Tihar is often described through its animals, lamps and family gatherings, Mha Puja offers another perspective: the festival can also be a time to reflect on your own life and the year ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 5: Bhai Tika \u2014 Brothers and Sisters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Bhai Tika brings Tihar to a close. It is a day when sisters pray for their brothers’ long lives and well-being, and siblings gather to exchange blessings and gifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sisters apply colourful tika to their brothers’ foreheads, place garlands around their necks and offer sweets, fruit and other gifts. Brothers give gifts in return. Customs vary between families, but the bond between siblings is at the centre of the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tradition is associated with the story of Yamuna and her brother Yama, the god of death. Yamuna welcomed her brother and performed rituals for his well-being. Moved by her devotion, Yama blessed the bond between siblings and the rituals performed for their protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The table is often full by the time everyone gathers: sel roti, fruits, nuts, sweets and other festival food. For families living in different cities or countries, Bhai Tika can mean travelling for hours to get home. When that is not possible, a phone call or video call helps bridge the distance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For many Nepalis, this is one of the most personal days of the festival. You can also be a sister or a brother to someone if you want. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why does Tihar honour animals?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The animals celebrated during Tihar have religious associations, but they also have a place in everyday life. Crows appear in traditional beliefs about messengers, dogs are companions and guardians, cows provide nourishment, and oxen have helped cultivate the land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tihar makes room to recognise these relationships. For a few days, animals that are often taken for granted become the centre of attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The festival also brings people together. Families visit one another, neighbours exchange food, and children sing in the streets. The rituals may differ between communities, but the sense of sharing runs through the celebrations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deusi-Bhailo, firecrackers and the sound of Tihar<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of my strongest memories of Tihar is the sound of firecrackers and groups going from house to house singing Deusi and Bhailo. There was a particular excitement about the evenings. You could hear the celebrations from different parts of the neighbourhood, and the night seemed to belong to everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deusi and Bhailo are traditional forms of festive singing. Groups visit homes, sing songs and offer blessings to the households. In return, the hosts give them money, fruit, sweets or something to eat. Depending on the group, there may be dancing, musical instruments and playful exchanges between the singers and the people watching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tradition turns an ordinary evening into a neighbourhood event. People open their doors, gather to watch, and make room for one more group before the night is over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firecrackers were part of the excitement I remember, too, although their use raises safety and environmental concerns. The songs and the movement of people between houses remain a more enduring part of the festival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you visit Nepal during Tihar, try to spend at least one evening in a residential neighbourhood rather than watching only from a hotel or a tourist area. You will get a better sense of how the festival is lived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experiencing Tihar in Nepal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
cat god statue in Myanglung<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tihar is a good time to slow down and spend time in one place. In Kathmandu, you can see marigold garlands piled high in the markets, homes decorated with lights and groups singing Deusi and Bhailo after dark<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If someone invites you to join their celebrations, accept if you can. You might be offered sel roti, sweets or a place to sit while the family performs its rituals. You do not need to know every custom beforehand. A little curiosity and respect go a long way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experience can be different outside the cities, where daily life is more closely connected to the land and the village community. That is one reason I want to spend this Tihar in Aathrai, my family’s ancestral village in Terhathum, in eastern Nepal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tihar in Terhathum<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
second highest waterfall in Tehrathum, 365 metres
<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

My family\u2019s roots are in Aathrai, in the hills of Terhathum. I have wanted to bring travellers to my village for a long time, not to take them through a checklist of attractions, but to let them experience a place through the people who live there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tihar is an opportunity to do exactly that. You can stay with a local family, share meals, spend time in the village and experience the festival as it unfolds. Rather than watching everything from the outside, you have the chance to be part of everyday life for a few days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to fill every hour with organised activities. Sometimes a meal shared with a family, an evening of conversation or a group singing Deusi-Bhailo tells you more about a place than a long list of sights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Come to Aathrai with me this Tihar<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Spend Tihar with me and my family in Aathrai, Terhathum, and experience the festival in a village setting. You\u2019ll share home-cooked meals, join in the celebrations and get a glimpse of everyday life in eastern Nepal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Food and accommodation will be free. Visitors will need to cover their own transport to and from Aathrai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trip details<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Departure from Kathmandu: 7 November<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Return to Kathmandu: 12 November<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Duration: 5 nights\/ 4 days<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Transport: Night bus to Myanglung, the headquarters and a jeep from there <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Food and accommodation: Provided free of charge<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    If you\u2019d like to join, message me on WhatsApp at +9779840497012. Let me know where you\u2019ll be travelling from and I\u2019ll share the travel arrangements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    From feeding crows and garlanding dogs to lighting oil lamps and singing Deusi-Bhailo, Tihar is a festival of animals, family and community. Here is what the five days mean, and an invitation to experience the festival with a family in Aathrai, eastern Nepal.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":40975,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-40983","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-trekking-adventure-alley"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/coldfeetadventure.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40983","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/coldfeetadventure.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/coldfeetadventure.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coldfeetadventure.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coldfeetadventure.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40983"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/coldfeetadventure.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40983\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":40989,"href":"https:\/\/coldfeetadventure.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40983\/revisions\/40989"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coldfeetadventure.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/40975"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/coldfeetadventure.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40983"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coldfeetadventure.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40983"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coldfeetadventure.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40983"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}