Kathmandu. Tihar, the second greatest festival of Nepali Hindus has begun from today. The festival is celebrated for five days, commonly called Yama Panchak, with the worshipping of the Goddess Lakshmi and various birds and animals, decorating houses with colors as well as lights and playing deusi-bhailo.

In the sunrise of the first day of Yama Panchak, Kartik Krishna Trayodashi, crows are worshipped early in the morning during sunrise. Crows are considered to be the messenger of Yamaraj (the God of Death and Justice), therefore, people feed crows with crud rice with a belief that curd rice is the favorite food of crows, hence, they would convey good news to Yamaraj. In folklore, there is even a practice of saying “Shubh bol meaning: Say Good” when the crow comes to the house.

On this occasion of Kaag Tihar every year, devotees gather and worship at the Kageshwori Mahadev Temple located in the northeastern belt of Kathmandu and the Kageshwori temple at Hanuman Dhoka. However, this year, the government has instructed people to prevent gatherings and crowds due to the threat posed by COVID-19.

This year, Kartik Krishna Trayodashi started in the evening due to which the Yama Panchak has shortened to 4 days from November 13. The government has announced a 4-day-holiday from November 14 to 17.

According to the Nepal Calendar Fixation Committee, the auspicious hour to put Bhai tika this year is at 11:37 a.m. on November 16.