By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Oct. 26: Tihar, the festival of lights, begins from Saturday. The crow is worshiped on the first day - also called Kag Puja – of Tihar, which is alternatively known as Yama Panchak.
The festival is celebrated for five days by worshipping birds and animals, including crow, dog, cow and ox, on the first, second, third and fourth day respectively, while the Goddess of Prosperity, Laxmi is also worshiped on the third day.
However, this year cows and dogs are worshipped on the same day—Sunday. On the fifth day, which is called BhaiTika, sisters put tika on the brothers’ forehead.
On the day of KagTihar, people worship the crow as a messenger of god who brings bad message. On this day, people offer delicious food to the crow. People believe they will get more money if food is offered to the crow on the day of KagTihar.
On the second day, people worship the dog, which is called KukurTihar. They offer good food and decorate the dog with garlands as part of worshipping the dog seen as the care taker of the house.
The third day of the festival is celebrated by worshipping Goddess Laxmi and the cow. The day is very important for each household because appeasing Goddess Laxmi is said to bring prosperity.
It is believed that Goddess Laxmi visits the homes during the night so people light oil-fed lamps and try keep vigil the whole night.
In the evening, girls and boys in groups visit homes to play Bhailo, singing songs and playing musical instruments. Households give them money and food in return. On this day, cows are also worshipped by offering food and flowers.
The fourth day of the festival is celebrated as Govardhan Puja, and the bull is worshipped on this day. The Newar community celebrates the day as Mha Puja, which is a ritual that worships the self. The New Nepal Sambat also starts from this day.
The final day of Yama Panchak is celebrated as BhaiTika. The day brings brothers and sisters together.
On the day, sisters put seven colours called SapatrirangiTika on the brother’s forehead, put garlands of Makhamali on the neck and offer fruits, sweets and nuts to their brothers.
Sisters wish for the longevity and success of their brother’s life.
Brothers also offer gifts to their sisters, including money, clothes and other things, and the day is believed to strengthen the bond between brothers and sisters.
The Calendar Determination Committee has announced the auspicious time for BhaiTika at 11:55 am on October 29. However, the Newars this year have decided to mark BhaiTika on Wednesday and the government has also given a holiday for Wednesday.