11: 37 am auspicious time for Bhai Tika

KATHMANDU: The Nepal Calendar Determination Committee has announced 11: 37 am on October 27 as the auspicious time for receiving and offering Bhai Tika of Tihar festival.

This year’s Tihar festival is starting from October 22, Saturday with the observance of Yamadeepdan, the offerings of lamps to Yamadeva (the deity of death). The religious belief is that the celebration of Yamadeepadan will prevent the devotee from facing untimely death.

Committee Executive Director Surya Prasad Dhungel said Dhantrayodashi (Dhanteras) should also be observed the same day. The Kag Tihar, the festival of crow, falls on October 23 and the Laxmi Puja (worship of Hindu Goddess Laxmi), one of the major celebrations of the Tihar festival, falls on Monday, October 24.

The Gai Puja falls on October 25. Cows are worshiped with Hindu rituals on this day. We are observing the Solar eclipse same day, according to him.

Gobardhan Puja falls on October 26. OX are worshiped on this day. The Newar community will celebrate the Mha Puja (worship of the self) on the same day.  The day also marks the commencement of the Nepal Sambat 1143.

The tika for this year’s Tihar festival will be observed on October 27 and sisters and brothers exchange the Saptarangi tika (seven-coloured tika) on the occasion.

Sisters put tika on their brothers wishing for their wellbeing and longevity and offer them special Tihar delicacies as well.

In return brothers also give the Tika and gifts to their sisters.  The Newar community will celebrate the Kija Puja (Bhai Tika) the same day.  RSS