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Tihar- Stories and Legends

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Whether they are true or not, legends and stories associated with festivals bind communities into shared beliefs and celebrations. Storytelling exists as long as humans have existed and play an integral role in promoting the feeling of cohesion and unity in communities. 

The festivals in Nepal have attached deep meanings to all its celebrations, considering the length of the festivities and the kind of rituals performed. Tihar is a five-day-long festival that comes soon after Dashain celebrations. 

 

The legend is that Lord Yama was separated from his sister for a long time after he became the Lord of Death. Since the Yamuna is the River of Life, Lord Yama could not be there. It is held that the Yamuna got involved in asking sources about possible ways to meet her brother without any drastic effects. 

 

The Yamuna sent out animals as messengers to Lord Yama; first, a crow, also known as the messenger of death, then a dog, and then a cow to inform him about the Yamuna visiting him. After a day passed since she sent out messages, Yamuna went to meet Lord Yama. The Lord was worshipped by the Yamuna with a red and black tika and a garland of flowers. 

 

Later, Yamuna put a tika on Lord Yama made of seven different colors (Sapta Rangi Tika). Besides, it is believed that the Yamuna made a circle out of mustard oil, Dubo Grass and Makhmal Mala and did not allow Lord Yama to leave until it dried out. These rituals are associated with the festival of Bhai tika during Tihar.

 

Another popular folklore tells why Tihar became an important festival. A sister was performing Bhai tika while a messenger of Lord Yama came to collect the soul of her brother. The sister asked him to wait till the end of the ritual and participate in the brother ritual after which the messenger got so pleased that he was ready to grant her a wish, and the sister saved her brother’s life. 

 

Some legend has it that when Lord Vishnu asked Raja Bali to rule all three worlds, Lord Yama had no responsibilities for five days which let him visit his sister. The Yamuna got overjoyed meeting her brother and tried all kinds of things to make her brother happy for five days.

 

Impressed by the extreme lengths his sister resorted to, Lord Yama gifted her something unique. The five days of brother worship by the Yamuna came to be known as the Yama Panchak implying the five days of Lord Yama, where we do almost everything to keep the Lord of death happy. 

 

Listening and taking out inferences from folklores and legends strengthens our understanding of our traditions, right? While you are gathering information on the festival, do not forget to check out our books collections or stock up on Pooja Samagris for your Tihar celebrations, or some Nepali fabrics would make your day!

Whatever you might need, Foomantra.com is your shopping buddy! Shop with Foomantra, and be sure to get a homely feeling this Tihar!

We hope you would love Nepali products as there are reasons to promote Made in Nepal Products

Want to know about Tihar – Festival of Light also? Learn more here

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