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Next: 7 to 11 Nov 2026

Tihar

Nepal's five-day festival of lights, with marigold garlands for crows, dogs, cows, doors and brothers.

A diya - Indian oil lamp.
Photo: Sreekumar K. S., CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

What happens

Tihar lasts five days in Nepal and honours, in turn, crows, dogs, cows and oxen, and then brothers. Each receives a garland. Dogs wear marigolds round their necks on Kukur Tihar, and houses are hung with long strings of them for Lakshmi Puja. On the last day, Bhai Tika, sisters put a garland on each brother. It is made of makhamali, the globe amaranth, a purple flower that keeps its colour when dry and so stands for a long life. The third day is the same night as Diwali in India.

The flowers

Aztec marigoldSayapatri, marigold, strung for doors, animals and people.Globe amaranthMakhamali, the unfading flower of the Bhai Tika garland.ChrysanthemumGodavari, also used in garlands in these days.

More flowers and customs of Tihar

Decoration Rangoliरंगोली Indian floor art made with coloured powders, rice, or petals for festivals and daily welcome 🇮🇳 India and 1 more · Carpet or floor pattern
About this page

Original text by the Phool desk, written with AI assistance. Background: "Tihar (festival)" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from family to family and place to place. If we have something wrong, tell us.

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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