Main Day of Tihar Festival-Bhai Tika Being Observed;Bhaiyaduj in Terai Madhesh

Today, Bhai Tika, an important day of Nepal’s Tihar Festival, is being celebrated. This special ritual involves sisters offering a colorful tika (a mixture of vibrant colors) to their brothers as a sign of love and respect, praying for their health, long life, and success.

This day is also called Yama Dwitiya. According to a traditional story, a sister once received a blessing from Yama, the god of death, ensuring her brother would live as long as the mustard oil used in the ceremony remains wet, and the garland of dubo (a type of grass) and makhamali (a colorful flower) stays fresh.

Though the most auspicious time for the ritual is at 11:39 AM Nepal time, sisters can perform the tika ceremony until sunset. For Nepali communities living abroad, the Nepal Calendar Determination Committee advises them to follow local time and astrological calculations based on their region.

In this year’s celebration, sisters will apply the tika in order of their brothers’ seniority, with the brothers sitting facing east during the ceremony.

Elsewhere in Mithilanchal, the relationship bond between siblings is celebrated as Bhaiyaduj. Sisters apply a tilak on their brothers’ foreheads, praying for their prosperity and longevity.