Bhai Tika
भाइटीका
Also known as: Tihar, Deepawali, Yamapanchak
Tihar is the five-day festival of lights, celebrated roughly a fortnight after Dashain. It falls in late Kartik and honours Yama (the god of death), his sister Yamuna, the goddess Lakshmi, and the bond between siblings.
Significance
Each day worships a different being: Kaag (crow), Kukur (dog), Gai (cow), Govardhan + self (Mha Puja for Newars), and finally Bhai Tika — a day between brothers and sisters.
How it is celebrated
Homes are lit with oil lamps and candles. Children sing Deusi-Bhailo through the neighbourhood and are given money and sweets. On Bhai Tika, sisters apply a seven-colour tika on their brothers' foreheads and give them a long garland of makhmali flower.
Traditional food
Sel roti, finimithai, dubo, sagun. Lakshmi puja offerings often include sweets, fruits and coins.