Kathmandu, Nepal October 29, 2019:The last and most important day of five days long Tihar, which is also popularly known Bhai Tika, is being marked today (Tuesday) with sisters’ offering Saptarangi Tika to their brothers’ forehead.
On the occasion of Bhaitika, sisters used to offer Tika to their brothers wishing them happiness, long life and prosperity. In return, brothers also used to pledge to protect their sisters from all kinds of adversities.
During the Bhai Tika, brothers used to be seated at a specially anointed place around which a trail of mustard oil is drawn. The sisters then offer the brothers Tika and garlands of Dubo and Makhamali.
After placing colorful Tika on the foreheads of their brothers, sisters used to offer them special delicious consisting of varieties of sweets, walnut spices and Selrotee, a special kind of Nepali bead. Likewise, brothers also offer their sisters Tika in return wishing them happiness and good luck and give them presents.
According to the National Calendar Determination Committee (NCDC) the auspicious hour for offering the Tika is 11:55 am. However, such Tika can be offered until sunset, said the NCDC.
The Bhai Tika commemorates a legendary event in which a sister has won a boon from Yama, the deity of death that her brother would not die until the mustard oil is dried up and the garland of Dubo and Makhamali faded up.
The Bhaitika tradition is so strong in Nepali society that even those who have no brothers or sisters of their own receive Tika from others whom they regard as brothers and sisters.
On the auspicious occasion of the Tihar, President Bidya Devi Bhandari, Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli have extended their best wished for peace, happiness, prosperity and progress to all Nepali brothers and sisters at home and abroad.
