About Tihar (Deepawali — Bhai Tika)
Tihar, also called Deepawali or Yamapanchak, is Nepal's dazzling five-day festival of lights and the second-biggest celebration after Dashain. Homes are lit with rows of oil lamps and candles, doorways are framed with marigold garlands, and colourful rangoli patterns are drawn on the ground to welcome the goddess Laxmi. Unusually, Tihar also honours the animals that share people's lives, making it one of the most tender festivals on the Hindu calendar.
Each day has its own focus: Kaag Tihar honours crows as messengers, Kukur Tihar garlands dogs for their loyalty, and the third day pairs Gai Tihar (worship of cows) with Laxmi Puja, when families light their homes for the goddess of wealth. The festival culminates on the fifth day in Bhai Tika, when sisters apply a seven-colour tika to their brothers' foreheads, encircle them with mustard oil and pray for their long life and protection.
Tihar falls in the lunar month of Kartik, usually in October or November, with dates set by Nepal's Bikram Sambat calendar — so it moves a little each year. The countdown above tracks the days until the next Bhai Tika, the festival's emotional climax. Add it to your own page to follow the build-up to Nepal's festival of lights.
Upcoming dates
| 2026 | Wednesday, November 11, 2026next |
| 2027 | Sunday, October 31, 2027 |
FAQ
When is Tihar?
Tihar falls in the lunar month of Kartik (October to November). Its dates shift each year on the Bikram Sambat calendar — the live countdown above targets Bhai Tika, the final day.
Why is Tihar celebrated?
It is Nepal's festival of lights, welcoming the goddess Laxmi for wealth and prosperity, honouring animals such as crows, dogs and cows, and strengthening the bond between brothers and sisters.
How is Tihar celebrated?
Families light oil lamps and candles, draw rangoli, garland and feed animals, worship Laxmi, sing deusi-bhailo songs door to door, and gather for the Bhai Tika ceremony.
What is Bhai Tika?
Bhai Tika is the fifth and final day of Tihar, when sisters apply a multi-coloured tika to their brothers' foreheads and pray for their long life, and brothers give gifts in return.