Tihar Festival Culminates in Auspicious Bhaitika Celebrations

Today marks the pinnacle of Tihar, Nepal's second-largest festival, as brothers and sisters come together to celebrate Bhaitika. On this fifth day of the festival, also known as Yamapanchak, sisters perform the traditional Pancharangi or Saptarangi tika ceremony, extending heartfelt wishes to their brothers for long life, good health, and prosperity with unwavering devotion and loyalty.

Observed annually on Kartik Shukla Dwiya, the main day of Tihar holds special significance as brothers receive Tika from their sisters. This day, commonly referred to as Yamadvitiya, witnesses a reciprocal exchange where brothers also offer Tika to their sisters.

Dr. Devmani Bhattarai, a theologian and member of the Nepal Panchang Adjudicatory Development Committee, highlighted the classical belief that worshiping one's sisters during Bhaitika brings forth good fortune and prosperity.

Committee Chairman Prof. Srikrishna Adhikari noted that while there is no strict time constraint for wearing the Bhaitika Tika throughout the day, the auspicious Abhijit Muhurta at 10:51 am is considered optimal. According to the committee's guidance for this year, sisters married into the brotherhood should face west during the ceremony, while brothers married into the sisterhood should turn towards the east.