The monsoon cleared up as usual for Vijaya Dasami,and now, there's a nip in the air, the nights are clear, and one of the most beautiful and gentle festivals of the year is upon us. It's Tihar, or Diwali, as they call it in India, 'the festival of lights'. Coupled with glorious weather and clear mountain views, with swings swinging, and kites flying, Tihar is a delightful time in Nepal.
This holy-day commemorates the victory of Rama over that mega-monster, Ravana,
who acquired his great, world-tormenting powers by performing, right here in the Valley, at Gokarna, very severe austerities, culminating in Ravana's tossing one by one, each of his horrible heads into the sacrficial fire.
Gukarna Temple
When Ravana got down to his last head, Brahma finally relented and gave him the boon he desired - not to be killed by anyone, except for a human being. Ravana considered a human being too weak for the task. Any boon to a demonvalways has an escape clause, and so Lord Vishnu incarnated as a man, Sri Rama, the prince of Ayodhya, and slew the demon, after a lot of adventures, which appears in that great epic, the Ramayana.
Tihar also commemorates Rama & Sita's return from exile after the slaying of
Ravana. The lights that are lit everywhere, recall the lights that the inhabitants of
Ayodhya lit to welcome back their beloved prince.
The five days of the festival are called the 'five days of Yama', the god of Death. The first day, which this year is on October 16th is paying respect to Yama, the God of Death, by worshiping crows, who are his messengers. A portion of the first meal of the day is put out for the crows...
The following day, dogs, Yama's gate-keepers are worshiped. The family pooch, and street dogs, too, are fed garlanded and given tika on that day.
On the evening of the new moon day (Oct. 17) , Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped (along with the family wealth) for good fortune and prosperity. People believe that Goddess Lakshmi visits every house during Tihar and gives blessings of peace and prosperity. People light up rows of lamps in their houses to welcome the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity and also to light up her path.
Hindu mythology regards Goddess Lakshmi as the Goddess of Light, Beauty, Wealth and Good Fortune. She is said to be the daughter of sage Bhrigu, who took refuge in the ocean of milk and was reborn during the famous ocean churning process carried out by Gods and demons.
Deepawali is celebrated to commemorate the birth of the Goddess of Wealth and hence Lakshmi Puja is a very important part of the celebrations. Also, with the Goddess of Fortune on everyone's minds, a lot of gambling takes place.
From that day onwards, for the next three days, groups of singers roam all over the Valley, singing and dancing, entertaining and collecting alms from all the households. One can hear the familiar refrain of these songs, 'dyo shi re' until late into the night.
The next morning, cows are worshipped, and the protective rakshabandana thread, that was tied around one's wrist during the full-moon in August at Janai Poorni, is removed and tied to the tail of a cow, so that it might ferry you safely through the underworld, if your number comes up this year.
The same day occurs Govardhan Puja - bullocks are worshipped in the morning, as Lord Krishna is remembered for protecting the cow-herders of Vrindavana by lifting Mount Govardhan to shelter and shield them.
In the evening, Mha Puja, the worship of one's own body, or self, is performed, especially among Newaris.
It's also Newari New Year's day 1130. For the next three days all the houses are illuminated with festive lights.
The fifth day of Tihar (Oct 19) is called Bhai Tika. It is a day dedicated to sisters. In the Vedic era, Yama (Yamraj, the Lord of Death) visited his sister Yamuna on this day. He gave his sister a boon that whosoever visits his sister on this day shall be liberated from all sins. Thus, the tradition of Bhai Tika continues.
May Goddess Lakshmi settle in your home and family, and foster all your endeavors!
love and pranams
Billy and Susie (Lakshmi)
