Tihar Festival in Darjeeling is one of the most dazzling of all the Hindu festivals in this hilly tract. Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth, is worshipped and the houses are illuminated and decorated with oil lit lamps or 'Diyas'. It is one of the most glittering of all Festivals and Events in Darjeeling. The entire town gives a spectacle of a twinkling sky during the evening.
Tihar Festival in Darjeeling is celebrated over five days starting from the 13th day of the waning lunar month. This Hindu festival is sometimes referred to as 'Panchak Yama' which means the five days of the underworld lord 'Yamaraj' the deity that controls life. Hence, Tihar Festival is meant to please the deities to protect one's life and property.
The first of the five days of revelry is devoted to the Crow who is considered the messenger of Yamaraj. Food is served to the crow early in the morning before taking food. The second day is for the dogs or the Kukur as it is called locally by the Nepalese. According to the Hindu mythology, dog is believed to guard the house of the Yama. Hence they are considered as the custodian of the house. All dogs even the stray ones are considered to be sacred and there goes the saying well that 'every dog has his day'. Dog is worshipped and served well with food.
The third and the most important day is the day of Laxmi, the Goddess of Wealth. On this auspicious day a cow, which symbolizes wealth, is worshipped early in the morning by putting a Tika on the forehead and a garland around its neck. In the evening Goddess Laxmi is placed in a neat and clean place and a pathway lit up with Diyas, is created leading to the box containing the valuables. The goddess is worshipped in the traditional way and after the rituals starts gambling in the house which is considered auspicious on this day. Young girls go about singing Bhaileni, a song in praise for the Goddess, and goes from door to door to be served as guests and collecting gifts.
The fourth day is a bit unusual with different people performing according to their own cultural background. Person belonging to the Newar Community perform the Mha Puja which is worshipping yourself. This day marks the beginning of the Newar New Year.
The Tihar Festival in Darjeeling ends with the Bhai Tika performed by the sisters to pray for a longer life of their brothers from the Yamaraj. This completes the five days of festivity and fervor during which Darjeeling dazzles all through the evening and remains lively all day out.
Source: http://www.asiarooms.com/en/travel-guide/India/Darjeeling/Darjeeling/Festivals-and-Events-in-Darjeeling/Tihar-Festival-in-Darjeeling.html
Tihar Festival in Darjeeling is celebrated over five days starting from the 13th day of the waning lunar month. This Hindu festival is sometimes referred to as 'Panchak Yama' which means the five days of the underworld lord 'Yamaraj' the deity that controls life. Hence, Tihar Festival is meant to please the deities to protect one's life and property.
The first of the five days of revelry is devoted to the Crow who is considered the messenger of Yamaraj. Food is served to the crow early in the morning before taking food. The second day is for the dogs or the Kukur as it is called locally by the Nepalese. According to the Hindu mythology, dog is believed to guard the house of the Yama. Hence they are considered as the custodian of the house. All dogs even the stray ones are considered to be sacred and there goes the saying well that 'every dog has his day'. Dog is worshipped and served well with food.
The third and the most important day is the day of Laxmi, the Goddess of Wealth. On this auspicious day a cow, which symbolizes wealth, is worshipped early in the morning by putting a Tika on the forehead and a garland around its neck. In the evening Goddess Laxmi is placed in a neat and clean place and a pathway lit up with Diyas, is created leading to the box containing the valuables. The goddess is worshipped in the traditional way and after the rituals starts gambling in the house which is considered auspicious on this day. Young girls go about singing Bhaileni, a song in praise for the Goddess, and goes from door to door to be served as guests and collecting gifts.
The fourth day is a bit unusual with different people performing according to their own cultural background. Person belonging to the Newar Community perform the Mha Puja which is worshipping yourself. This day marks the beginning of the Newar New Year.
The Tihar Festival in Darjeeling ends with the Bhai Tika performed by the sisters to pray for a longer life of their brothers from the Yamaraj. This completes the five days of festivity and fervor during which Darjeeling dazzles all through the evening and remains lively all day out.
Source: http://www.asiarooms.com/en/travel-guide/India/Darjeeling/Darjeeling/Festivals-and-Events-in-Darjeeling/Tihar-Festival-in-Darjeeling.html