Nepal observed the fourth day of the five-day Tihar festival on Tuesday (Kartik 24, 2083 BS) with Goru Tihar, Govardhan Puja and Hali Tihar. The Newar community performed Mha Puja and began Nepal Sambat 1147, its new year.
Tihar, also called Yamapanchak, began on Nov 7 with Kag Tihar. Kukur Tihar and Laxmi Puja fell on Nov 8, and Gai Tihar on Nov 9. Bhai Tika will be observed on Nov 11.
Goru Tihar and Hali Tihar
Goru Tihar honours oxen, which have traditionally ploughed fields, prepared land and carried farm produce. Oxen are bathed, decorated with garlands and tika, and given special food. Mechanised farming has spread, but oxen remain important in some rural and hill communities.
Hali Tihar honours the hali, the person who ploughs. Farmers are honoured and offered special food, and ploughs and ploughshares are worshipped.
Govardhan Puja
Govardhan Puja is linked to the Hindu account of Lord Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill to shelter the people and cattle of Gokul from rain sent by Indra. In Nepal, families make a symbolic Govardhan, often from cow dung, decorate it with flowers and offer prayers and food.
The story is often read as a reminder of human dependence on land, water, forests and pasture.
Mha Puja
Mha Puja is a Newar ritual meaning worship of the self. It is a ritual for cleansing and strengthening the soul and for prosperity and long life.
A separate mandala is made for each family member, using materials such as water, oil, rice, paddy, coloured powders, flowers and sacred threads. Family members sit in a row before their mandalas and receive tika, offerings and blessings. The eldest woman of the household traditionally performs the worship, though practices vary. The family then shares a meal.
Nepal Sambat 1147
Nepal Sambat is a lunar calendar whose new year begins around Kartik Shukla Pratipada. It is named after the country, not a ruler.
Newar communities greet each other with “Nhu Daya Bhintuna,” meaning happy new year.
Tradition credits the merchant Shankhadhar Sakhwa with founding it after he used wealth from sand collected at an auspicious moment to pay the debts of the poor of the Kathmandu Valley. The calendar traces it back to the Lichhavi period under King Raghavadeva. The miraculous parts of the story are legend. Scholarly research confirms the calendar was used in medieval documents, particularly in the Malla period, but the earliest records do not support every detail of the founding story.
Shankhadhar Sakhwa was declared a National Luminary in 2056 BS under the government led by Krishna Prasad Bhattarai. Nepal Sambat received national recognition in 2008 AD under the government led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal.
What is next
Tihar concludes on Nov 11 with Bhai Tika, when sisters apply tika to their brothers. The auspicious time for Bhai Tika as 11:07 am.
