Locals in Nepal observe ‘Kaag Tihar’

Kathmandu, [Nepal] Nov 05 (ANI): Kick-starting celebrations ahead of Diwali or Tihar, locals in Nepal are celebrating Kaag Tihar- a festival dedicated to crows.

As crows are considered sacred in Nepali culture, the first day of the five-day-long Tihar celebrations is known as ‘Kaag Tihar’. As part of the festival, locals offer morsels to crows.

According to a local resident, Bishnu Maya Dhakal, dedicating the first day of Tihar to the bird is an age-old tradition

“The first day of Tihar, Kaag Tihar (Crow Festival) is being celebrated for many years now. Since our childhood, we celebrate it with much fervour and this has now become an integral part of the culture,” he told ANI.

While the first day is dedicated to crows, the second day of Tihar is dedicated to dogs, the third day to cows and the fourth day to oxen. A Lakshmi Puja is also performed on the third day.

On the final day, Bhaidooj or Bhatika is celebrated, which officially concludes Tihar. On this day, sisters put a tilak on the forehead of their brothers to wish them a long life.

Every year, Tihar or Diwali is celebrated from Trayodashi of Krishna Paksha (13th day of the waning moon in the month of Kartik) to Kartik Shukla Dwitya (2nd day of waxing moon). [source_without_link]ANI[/source_without_link]