Third day of the Tihar Festival

What Is the Third day of the Tihar Festival?

The Third day of the Tihar Festival is a pivotal day within the five-day Tihar celebration, a major Hindu festival observed predominantly in Nepal. This specific day is dedicated to two key observances: Gai Puja, the worship of cows, and Lakshmi Puja, the veneration of the goddess of wealth. It signifies gratitude for the cow’s contributions and a request for prosperity.

Known in other regions as Deepawali or Diwali, Tihar’s third day holds particular cultural significance in Nepalese society. It is a time when homes and businesses are thoroughly cleaned and brightly illuminated. The day fosters a collective spirit of reverence and hope for abundance.

History and Origins of the Third day of the Tihar Festival

The origins of Tihar, including its third day, are rooted in ancient Hindu traditions that have been practiced for millennia. The festival’s structure reflects a deep connection to nature, animals, and the deities associated with prosperity and well-being. The veneration of cows, central to Gai Puja, stems from their historical role in agrarian societies as providers of milk, fertiliser, and draught power.

In Hinduism, the cow is considered a representation of purity, motherhood, and abundance, often associated with various deities. Lakshmi Puja, the worship of the goddess Lakshmi, is a continuation of this ancient tradition, seeking her blessings for material and spiritual wealth. The timing of this day on the new moon signifies the triumph of light over darkness, a universal theme in many ancient festivals.

How the Third day of the Tihar Festival Is Celebrated

The celebration of the Third day of the Tihar Festival is characterised by distinct rituals performed throughout the day, each with its own cultural purpose.

Gai Puja: Morning Observance

In the morning, the focus is on Gai Puja, the worship of cows. Cows are decorated with garlands of marigolds, their horns are painted, and a red auspicious mark (tika) is applied to their foreheads. People offer them various foods, including traditional sweets like sel roti, rice, and fresh grass, as a gesture of gratitude for their contributions to human life. This ritual underscores the cow’s symbolic importance as a sustainer of life and a bringer of good fortune.

Lakshmi Puja: Evening Observance

As evening approaches, the celebrations shift to Lakshmi Puja, dedicated to the goddess Lakshmi. Homes and workplaces undergo thorough cleaning, believed to invite the goddess into a pure environment. Entrances are adorned with intricate patterns called rangoli or mandalas, often depicting footprints leading indoors, symbolising Lakshmi’s arrival. Oil lamps (diyas) and electric lights are illuminated throughout the evening, transforming cities and villages into luminous displays. Families perform a puja (worship ceremony) with offerings of fruits, sweets, and money, seeking the goddess’s blessings for wealth, success, and prosperity in the coming year.

General Celebrations

Beyond the specific pujas, the day is filled with festive activities. Families gather for special meals, and fireworks displays light up the night sky, adding to the joyous atmosphere. Children often go door-to-door singing traditional songs, and in return, receive money or sweets, a practice known as Bhailo. The overall ambiance is one of community, devotion, and collective celebration of life and prosperity.

When Is the Third day of the Tihar Festival?

The Third day of the Tihar Festival is a moveable observance, as its date is determined by the Hindu lunar calendar. It consistently falls on the new moon day (Amavasya) of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in the Hindu month of Kartik.

Due to its lunar basis, the exact Gregorian calendar date varies from year to year. It typically occurs in late October or early November. This alignment with the new moon emphasises the theme of light overcoming darkness, which is central to the Tihar festival as a whole.

Third day of the Tihar Festival Key Facts