Kathmandu. Bhai Tika, the most important day of Tihar, is being marked today with the brothers receiving ‘tika’ from their sisters. Sisters in Hindu communities all over the country offer ‘tika’ to their brothers wishing them happiness, long life and prosperity on  Bhai Tika.

The auspicious hour today for offering the ‘tika’ begins at 11:37 am, according to Chairman of National Calendar Determination Committee Prof. Dr Ramchandra Gautam.

On this day of the Tihar festival, brothers who have sisters are seated at a specially anointed place around which a trail of mustard oil is drawn. The sisters then offer the brothers Tika and garlands of ‘Dubo’ and ‘Makhamali’ (doob grass and the globe amaranth flower)

The occasion is based on the legend in the Purana in which a sister won a boon from “Yama”, the deity of death that her brother would not die until the mustard oil dried up and the garland of the doob grass and the globe amaranth flower faded.

After placing colorful ‘tika’ on the foreheads of their brothers, sisters offer them  varieties of sweets, walnut, spices and other delicacies. Brothers also offer their sisters ‘tika’ in return, wish them happiness and good luck, and give them presents. This day of Tihar celebrates the bond of love between the brothers and sisters.

Those who do not have brothers or sisters of their own receive ‘tika’ from others whom they regard as brothers and sisters. People also visit the temple of Bal Gopaleshwor in the center of local Rani Pokhari, Kathmandu which opens to the public only on this day of the year and offer worship, and receive ‘tika’.