Tihaar, Tihar: 3 definitions
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Tihaar means something in the history of ancient India. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
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India history and geography
Tihar (also known as Yamapanchak Deepawali) is a five-day spiritual and cultural Hindu festival of lights celebrated by Nepalese as well as by the Indian Gorkhas inhabiting Sikkim state and Territories (particularly the towns of Darjeeling and Kalimpong). Tihar is analogous to the Indian festival of Diwali, the festival of lights, but both are different Festival. Like Diwali, it is marked by lighting diyo inside and outside the home, but unlike Diwali in other parts of India, the five days of Tihar include celebration and worship of the four creatures associated with the God of death Yama, with the final day reserved for people themselves.
Day 1) The first day of Tihar is called Kaag (crow) Tihar. Crows and ravens, believed to be the messengers of the death god Yama, are worshipped with offerings of grains, seeds, and sweets placed on the roofs or out on the streets. The cawing of crows and ravens is associated with sadness and grief in Hinduism as these birds are believed to carry messages from Yama. By feeding the crows, devotees hope to appease them and ward off death and grief for the coming year.
Day 2) The second day is called Kukur Tihar, on which people practice puja. On this day, all dogs, whether pets or strays, are offered treats and worshipped by placing a tika on their forehead and garlands of marigolds around their necks. This day celebrates the special relationship between humans and dogs. At the gates of Svarga, Yudhishthira refuses to enter without the dog, who reveals himself to be the god Yama. Thus, the ancient bond between man and dog is established in the Mahabharata.
Day 3) The morning of the third day is called Gai (cow) Tihar. The cow is an especially important animal in Hinduism and is considered sacred. There is a belief, Mahalakshmi's presence in the anus of cow or excretory products (Gobar and Gomutra) of it. Hindus revere the cow as a particularly docile animal that gives a lot more than it takes. The cow produces milk, cheese, ghee, urine and dung While the first three can be eaten, the urine is believed to have beneficial health effects and the dung is burned as fuel or used as fertilizer. Thus, on the third day of Tihar, Nepali Hindus people show their gratitude to the cow by feeding them treats and worshipping them with tikas and garlands.
Day 4) The fourth day of Tihar is known as Goru Puja, where the ox is worshipped and celebrated. The ox is seen as an analogue to the cow in Hinduism, as the ox provides manual labour, especially important for an agricultural country like Nepal. Vaishnava Hindus also perform Govardhan Puja, which is worship towards the holy Govardhan mountain. A pile of cow dung is taken as representative of the mountain and worshipped.
Day 5) The fifth and last day of Tihar is called Bhai Tika. On this final day, which is celebrated with much fanfare across the country, brothers and sisters mark their special bond by worshipping each other with giving gifts to each other to express their feelings.
Note: Tihar is referred to as Yamapanchak Tihar in Kathmandu Valley by Newari Nepalis and Dipawali Tihar in Madhesh Province by Madhesi Nepalis. In the rest of Nepal and the Indian states of Sikkim and Gorkhaland, both Nepalis and Indian Gorkhas refer to Diwali as the Tihar Parwa.
Tihar is the name of a Nepalese festival celebrated in October-November.—Nepal celebrates more than 50 festivals every year. Most religious festival dates are set by astrologers according to the lunar calendar, hence the dates are not fixed according to the Gregorian calendar.—Description of the Tihar and Deewali festival: This is a special day where animals are treated like kings for a day. Thousands of butter lamps are lit in doorways and windows to welcome the Hindu Goddess of Wealth, Laxmi.
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
Languages of India and abroad
Nepali dictionary
Tihaar is another spelling for तिहार [tihāra].—n. Relig. (Hinduism) a festival of lights in honor of Lakshmi observed for five days by illuminating houses and buildings as well as worshipping crow, dog, cow, ox and brother, which is held at the new moon of the month of 'Kartik', namely about one moth after Dashain;
Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Tihaare-phool, Tihare.
Full-text: Tihara, Tihare, Barkhadinako-cada, Barkhadinako-chaad, Deusi, Divali.
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Search found 5 books and stories containing Tihaar, Tihar; (plurals include: Tihaars, Tihars). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Festivals and Ceremonies of the Nepalese of Assam (by Monmi Kakati)
Part 5.1.4b - The autumn festival of Tihar < [Chapter 3 - Festivals of the Nepalese of Assam]
Part 1 - Significance of the Festivals in Nepali Society < [Chapter 4 - Ceremonies of the Nepalese of Assam]
Kailash: Journal of Himalayan Studies
The Paharis: In Quest of an Identity < [Volume 14, Number 3-4 (1988)]
Introduction to the Blacksmiths (Kami) settlement in Nepal < [A Settlement and Smithy of the Blacksmiths (Kami) in Nepal]
The Women of Tebas, Feminine Perspectives in Gurung Culture < [Volume 8, Number 1-2 (1981)]
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (MDPI)
Women’s Ideas about the Health Effects of Household Air Pollution, Developed... < [Volume 15, Issue 2 (2018)]
Vulnerability of Pastoralism: A Case Study from the High Mountainsof Nepal < [Volume 12, Issue 7 (2020)]
Sacred Music and Hindu Religious Experience < [Volume 10, Issue 2 (2019)]