Parmeshwar Devkota

The second big festival of Hindus is around the corner. It is celebrated for five days from the 13th of dark fortnight to 2nd of the bright fortnight in the month of Kartik. Unlike other festivals, Tihar is addressed with various names such as Deepawali, Dipmala, Deepmalika, Jyoti Parba, Prakash Parba, Bhai Tika, Laxmi Pooja, Yama Panchaka, etc. As it is confusing to call the same festival with various names, it may be appropriate to call it a single name for clarity.

Before purposing a single name for this festival, it is necessary to summarise the festival in gist. Like other festivals, it is also related to deities. It has a strong mythical story which covers all living beings on this planet.
Yamaraj is the God of hell, who holds power to take the life of any creature of earth, whose time has come. The deceased are punished and rewarded in hell and heaven in accordance to their deeds, Karma. His close aide Chitragupta is the record-keeper of every living being on this planet. Yamaraja has employees of various types of expertise and strength to manage the dead bodies. He purifies the bodies of those who had done good work on the Martyaloka (earth) and sends them to the heaven. But those who had committed any sin on the earth are bound to suffer a lot.

One day, tired with rigorous works, Yamaraj decided to take leave for five days from the 13th of dark fortnight to the 2nd of the bright half in the month of Kartik. He handed over his job to Chitragupta and went to his sister Yamuna’s home to take rest. With the departure of Yamaraj, Chitragupta eased the rules for the living beings on the earth, so the people marked the festival with joy and fervour.

This is the festival which honours all living beings symbolically. On the 13th of dark fortnight day, crow, an informer of Yamaraj, is worshiped. On the 14th day, dog, the gatekeeper of Yamaraj, is worshiped as a faithful animal. It is offered with garland and delicious foods. Cow is worshiped on the last day of the dark fortnight by offering Tika, garland and fruits and food. This is the day when jewellery and cash are also worshiped.
On the very day, the Newar community celebrates New Year which they call ‘Nu Daya Bhintuna.’ The people start playing Deusi-Bhailo from this day. The first day of the bright fortnight is called Gobardhan Pooja. An ox is worshiped as a carrier of Lord Shiva. Oxen served as the important element of agriculture in the pat. They were used to plough the land.

The Newar Community offers Ma: Pooja on this day. On the last day, that is, the 2nd day of bright fortnight Bhai Tika is observed, with sisters wishing prolonged life, good health and happiness of their brothers. The Shaktas, Baisnavas, Buddhists and Jains celebrate this festival with Narakasurbadh, coronation of Lord Ram, for achieving Bodhi and emancipation, respectively.
As all names represent single day celebration, the word ‘Yama Panchaka’ incorporates the spirit of every function of the festival so it sounds wise to call it Yama Panchaka.