Auspicious Time for Bhai Tika Set for 11:07 AM on November 11

Kathmandu / Nov. 3: The Nepal Calendar Determination Development Committee has announced the auspicious time for observing Bhai Tika, the main festival of Tihar, this year.

Committee Chairperson Prof. Dr. Purushottam Bhattarai informed the National News Agency (RSS) that the committee had finalised the dates for various Tihar celebrations and announced that the most auspicious time for Bhai Tika would be 11:07 AM on Wednesday, November 11 (Kartik 25).

According to the committee, although there is no restriction on applying tika during the midday period, the auspicious Abhijit Muhurat has been recommended for those who wish to observe the ceremony at a specific auspicious time. Government officials and state authorities are required to observe the ceremony at the designated auspicious time, while the general public can apply tika at any time during midday.

This year’s Yamapanchak, the five-day period of Tihar celebrations, begins on Friday, November 6, with Dhan Trayodashi (Dhanteras). Kaag Tihar (Crow Festival) and Dhanwantari Jayanti will be observed on Saturday, November 7. On Sunday, November 8, people will observe Narak Snan (ritual bathing), Kukur Tihar (Dog Festival) and Lakshmi Puja in the evening.

The committee said the festival dates were determined in accordance with religious scriptures, taking into account the transition from Krishna Chaturdashi to Aunsi (new moon) during the daytime. According to scriptural traditions, Lakshmi Puja should be performed on the evening when the new moon prevails. Ritual bathing and donations associated with Aunsi should therefore take place on the morning of Monday, November 9, when Lakshmi Puja will also be observed.

Cow Puja, Ox Puja and self-worship (Mha Puja) will be observed on Tuesday, November 10. According to the religious text Krityavatika, Mha Puja should be performed in the evening of Kartik Shukla Pratipada. As the first day of the bright lunar fortnight begins on this date, the ceremony will be observed accordingly.

Mha Puja is a traditional practice primarily observed by the Newar community. Three calendars approved by the committee are published by Newar calendar experts. Siddhilaxmi Byanjankar, Kirtikiran Joshi and Shashidhar Joshi have also specified November 10 as the date for Mha Puja in their respective calendars.

Nepal Sambat 1147, the New Year of the Nepal Sambat calendar, will also begin on November 10. According to religious tradition, the New Year should be celebrated on the day when the sun rises during the Pratipada lunar phase.

Bhai Puja, also known as Kija Puja in the Newar language, will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 11. The committee concluded that observing Bhai Tika on this date is consistent with religious scriptures, which prescribe applying tika during the midday period.

Chairperson Bhattarai said the religious scriptures use the term Bhratru Puja, which refers to both brothers and sisters. Although commonly known as Bhai Tika, the committee stated that the tika ceremony should follow the order of seniority among siblings, in accordance with religious traditions.

Tihar, also known as Yamapanchak, is celebrated annually from Kartik Krishna Trayodashi to Kartik Shukla Dwitiya. During this period, people perform Yama Deep Daan, or the ritual offering of oil lamps, from the evening of Kartik Krishna Trayodashi until the evening of Kartik Shukla Dwitiya.

The ritual involves offering lamps while invoking the names of family members, based on the number of people in the household. Religious beliefs hold that performing Yama Deep Daan helps protect people from the suffering associated with Yama, the god of death.

The Vedic tradition also includes offering delicious food to crows and dogs, regarded as messengers of Yama, to appease them. It is believed that pleasing these animals will bring their support and protection in the afterlife.RSS