Volunteer Society Nepal : The best experience for volunteers, the best value for Nepal.
Nepal is full of cultural diversity as people following different religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and other religions live together in harmony. The two great big festivals of the Hindus of Nepal, Dashain and Tihar (Deepawali) fall during the month of October and November. The first big festival in Nepal Dashain is celebrated for 15 days and the second big festival Tihar (Deepawali) is celebrated for 5 days. Dashain falls between late September to mid-October and Deepawali falls between late October to early November. The joy of this festival drives everyone happy, from children to elders.
Some of our volunteers got to witness the great Nepali festival of Tihar (Deepawali) and celebrate it in Nepali way. During the festival of lights our volunteers who were in Kathmandu especially got to be a part of the festival and experience it from close.
Some volunteers spent most of their time with the kids of the orphanage and at the host family by giving them a helping hand in preparing many things needed for the festival celebrations. They prepared garlands, went with the children to different houses to play Dheusi Bhailo and participated with full joy in several festival activities.
On the 5th day of Tihar, our volunteers celebrated “Bhai Tika” at the host family. Bhai Tika is observed by sisters applying tika on the foreheads of their brothers to ensure long life and thank them for the protection they provide. In return, brothers give presents to the sisters.
Tihar festival in brief:
Tihar, the festival of lights is one of the most dazzling of all Hindu festivals. In this festival, we worship Goddess Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth. During the festival all the houses in the city and villages are decorated by lighting oil lamps. Besides this, the houses are decorated by colourful electric lamps in the city.
The first day of tihar is known as Kag tihar crows’ day. On this day crows are worshipped and offered food in the early morning. Crows are scavengers that help to keep the environment clean, so they are worshipped in Nepalese society.
The second day is called Kukur tihar, dog’s day. On this day dogs are worshipped with tika and garland, and also offered varieties of food. Dogs have always been man’s faithful friend, loyal and loving. In Hinduism, it is believed that dogs guard the doors of Heaven and Hell.
The third day is the most important day of the festival. It is called Laxmi puja, the day when we worship the goddess of wealth. On this day, early in the morning the cow is worshipped. Â A cow also symbolises wealth and she is the most holy animal for Hindus. Cow is the national animal of Nepal.
In the evening goddess Laxmi is worshipped. Days before the house are cleansed and decorated. For the goddess likes clean and tidy places. In the evening a small portion of the house just outside the main door is painted with red mud and an oil lamp with a decoration of colourful mandala. A pathway is made from here to the place where the old money box and valuables are kept in the house that is the puja room.
The fourth day is “Mha Puja”, which means self-worship. On this day Newar community celebrate New Year Nepal Sambat (Nepal Era), which is the national lunar calendar of Nepal. Mha puja is celebrated by a ritual to purify and empower the soul for the coming New Year besides praying for longevity.
The fifth day or the last day of Tihar is “Bhai tika”, which is celebrated by putting tika and offering delicacies to the brothers by their sisters.
The most exotic and dazzling festival comes to an end after these five magnificent days of worship and honour.