Garlands, wreaths and flowers that are worn
Marigold garlands at Tihar
For five days each autumn Nepal strings marigolds and globe amaranth over doors, around dogs and cows, and onto brothers.
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Tihar is Nepal's festival of lights, held over five days in October or November. It is also the country's great flower festival. Houses, shops and temples are draped in orange marigold garlands. Crows, dogs, cows and oxen are honoured in turn, each with a garland. On the last day sisters place a garland of purple globe amaranth around their brothers' necks.
What it is
Each day of Tihar has its own focus. The crow, messenger of the god of death, is fed on the first day. The second day, Kukur Tihar, belongs to dogs, which receive a garland, a mark of red powder on the forehead and a good meal. Cows are garlanded on the third morning, and Lakshmi, goddess of wealth, is welcomed that evening with lamps and flower strings at every door. The fifth day is Bhai Tika, when sisters bless their brothers.
Which flowers are used
Three flowers carry the festival. The marigold, called sayapatri, meaning hundred petals, is used in the greatest quantity. The globe amaranth, called makhamali, is a small, round, purple flower with papery petals. It keeps its colour and shape for months when dry. For that reason the garland a sister gives her brother on Bhai Tika is made of it: the wish is that his life should last as the flower does. Chrysanthemums, called godawari, make up the third kind.
How it is made
In the weeks before Tihar, families and farmers around the Kathmandu valley pick marigolds and makhamali and string them at home. A needle and strong thread are pushed through the centre of each flower head, and the heads are packed closely. Door garlands are measured to the width of the frame and hung in loops. Demand is so high that flowers are also brought in from India. On Bhai Tika the sister also draws a line of coloured marks on her brother's forehead and gives him sweets and nuts.
How to take part
- Be in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur or Pokhara for Tihar. Dates follow the lunar calendar, so check the year.
- Visit the flower sellers around Asan and Indra Chowk in old Kathmandu in the days before.
- On Kukur Tihar, look for garlanded dogs on every street.
- In the evenings, expect groups of young people singing from house to house for small gifts.
Good manners
- Do not step on the coloured patterns and lamp lit paths drawn at doorways for Lakshmi.
- Ask before photographing a family ceremony such as Bhai Tika.
The flowers
Aztec marigoldThe golden-yellow flower of Mexican altars and Day of the Dead offerings
ChrysanthemumAutumn-blooming flower with thousands of varieties, cherished in East Asia and beyondAlso part of it, and being written: Tihar, Gomphrena globosa.
Sources and further reading
Original text by the Phool desk, written with AI assistance. Customs vary from place to place. If we have something wrong, tell us.