Tihar, the second biggest festival of Hindus after Dashain, has already started, with people buying festival essentials.
This festival, also known as the festival of lights, will last for five days. It will begin from the 13th day of Kartik Krishna Paksha and end on the second day of Kartik Shukla Paksha, according to the lunar calendar.
This five-day festival is also known as Yamapanchak, which is beginning from Saturday this year. Laxmi Puja and Bhai Tika are revered as the most important days of Tihar.
Laxmi, the goddess of wealth, is worshipped on the day of Laxmi Puja amidst rituals by lighting lamps. Similarly, sisters worship their brothers with tika and garlands and wish them healthy and long life on the day of Bhai Tika. Brothers, in return, provide gifts and Dakshina (money) to their sisters.
New Road, Asan and Indrachok, the downtown of the Kathmandu Valley was seen a chock-a-block with shoppers procuring garlands, tika (seven colors), packets of dry fruits/nuts, topi (cap) and other accessories for Tihar on the eve of Tihar (Friday)
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