Kathmandu, 8 Oct: Kukur Tihar and Laxmi Puja, the second day of the Tihar festival, will be celebrated on the same day this Sunday. Due to the variation in lunar dates (tithis), Chaturdashi falls during the daytime while Aunsi (new moon) begins in the evening. Therefore, the Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Bikas Samiti has decided that both festivals should be observed on the same day in accordance with traditional religious scriptures.
In the morning, dogs will be worshipped as messengers of Yamaraj, the god of death. In the evening, devotees will worship Goddess Mahalakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and celebrate the festival of lights by lighting oil lamps and decorating their homes.
Dogs are not worshipped merely as animals but are revered as the messengers of Yamaraj and the vehicles of Lord Bhairav. According to Hindu mythology, two four-eyed dogs named ‘Shyama’ and ‘Sabala’ guard the gates of Yamalok, the realm of the god of death.
It is believed that these dogs inform Yamaraj when a person’s time of death approaches. People worship dogs with the religious belief that keeping them pleased will protect them from severe punishment in the afterlife and free them from the fear of death.
According to the Mahabharata, when the five Pandavas and Draupadi set out towards the Himalayas on their final journey to heaven, they gradually fall along the way, one after another. Eventually, only Yudhishthira, the eldest of the Pandavas, and a dog accompanying him remain alive.
When they reach the gates of heaven, Lord Indra allows Yudhishthira to enter but asks him to leave the dog behind. However, Yudhishthira refuses to enter heaven without abandoning his loyal companion, who had stayed with him throughout his difficult journey.
Impressed by Yudhishthira’s commitment to righteousness and loyalty, the dog reveals its true identity as Dharmaraj (Yamaraj), the god of righteousness and death.
One of the brightest highlights of Tihar is Laxmi Puja. The night of Kartik Krishna Aunsi (the new moon night) is known as ‘Sukharatri’, or the night of happiness.
According to Hindu mythology, when the gods and demons joined forces to churn the cosmic ocean (Kshira Sagar) in search of nectar, Goddess Mahalakshmi, the mother of the universe, emerged from the ocean on the very night of Kartik Krishna Aunsi.
Following her emergence, the gods welcomed her by lighting oil lamps and performing religious rituals. Since then, people have celebrated Diwali every year to mark the birth and arrival of Goddess Lakshmi, lighting lamps to welcome the goddess of wealth and prosperity into their homes.
Another Hindu mythological story is associated with King Bali. According to the legend, Lord Vishnu took his Vamana (dwarf) incarnation and asked the generous King Bali for three steps of land. After receiving the request, Vishnu sent Bali to the underworld (Patala Lok).
Pleased with King Bali’s generosity, Lord Vishnu granted him the kingdom of the underworld. During this period, Goddess Lakshmi made King Bali her brother by tying a sacred protective thread (Rakhi) around his wrist. In return, she requested him to release her husband, Lord Narayan (Vishnu), who was under Bali’s strict guard.
It is also believed that Goddess Lakshmi blessed King Bali’s kingdom with everlasting wealth and prosperity. To celebrate this blessing, people light lamps in their homes on this night, filling their surroundings with light and joy.
According to the Panchanga Committee, Gai Tihar will be celebrated on Kartik 23, while Goru Tihar, Govardhan Puja and Mha Puja will be observed on Kartik 24. The same day will also mark the beginning of Nepal Sambat 1147, the national lunar calendar of Nepal.
The final day of Tihar, Bhai Tika, falls on Kartik 25. According to the committee, the most auspicious time for performing the Bhai Tika ritual has been set at 11:07 am that morning.
