Kathmandu. KATHMANDU: The festival of lights, Yamapanchak or Tihar, is beginning from today.

This festival is celebrated every year from Kartik Krishna Trayodashi to Kartik Shukla Dwitiya. The second biggest festival of Nepalis, Tihar, has begun from today as Dwadashi and Trayodashi Tithi will continue till 1:23 pm today. According to the calendar, the Nepal Calendar Determination Development Committee has approved the celebration of Dhanteras or Dhanteras today as Kartik Krishna Trayodashi falls after 1:23 pm. Committee member and theologian Prof Dr Devmani Bhattarai told RSS that the Yamdeepdan would also begin from today itself.

He said that Kaag Tihar falls on Sunday. There is a classical belief that Dhanteras and Yamdeepdan festivals are celebrated on the day of Trayodashi in the evening. Chairman of the committee Prof Shambhu Prasad Dhakal said that the decision was taken as per the scriptural belief that Yamdeepdan should be started on the day of Trayodashi in the evening and Kaag Tihar should be celebrated in the morning i.e. on the day of Trayodashi.

It is believed that one will be relieved from the torture of Yama if one performs Yamdeepdan on the occasion of Yamapanchak. Dhanwantari Jayanti falls on Sunday. According to the committee, due to the fluctuation of dates, Kukur Tihar and Laxmi Puja fall on the same day on Monday. Yamdeepdan is done on the basis of the number of family members. Religious expert Prof Toyaraj Nepal said that the ritual should be done by facing south. From Kartik Krishna Trayodashi to Kartik Shukla Dwitiya i.e. Bhai Tika, Yamdeepdan is performed.

Chairman of the committee Dhakal said that the festival of Kukur Tihar would be celebrated in the morning and Laxmi Puja should be performed in the evening after taking a bath in the hell at dawn on October 2. On Monday morning, before dawn, bathing is done with Apamarga. This is called the Hell Bath. On this day, it is believed that by taking a ritualistic bath in the morning, lighting a lamp and immersing it in the river, one does not have to suffer the torture of hell.

Laxmi Puja has to be performed on the same day as Chaturdashi will be celebrated till 2:52 pm on October 19 and then Aunsi Tithi. There is a classical method of performing Lakshmi Puja on the day of the new moon day at night. This year, the new moon date falls till 4:29 pm on Tuesday, October 20. There is no festival of Tihar on this day. Even though Kartik 4 is the middle time of Yamapanchak i.e. Tihar, there is no karma as prescribed by the scriptures.

Cow, oxen and Govardhan Puja falls on October 5, Wednesday. Halitihar, Bali Puja and Atma (Mha) Puja and Nepal Sambat 1146 begin on this day. There is a scriptural saying that on the day of Kartik Shukla Pratipada, cow, oxen, cow and soul (Mha) should be worshiped. According to the scriptures, the Nepal Sambat 1146 begins on this day as per the scriptural saying that the New Year should be celebrated on the day of sunrise on the day of Pratipada.

The committee has stated that Bhai Tika should be performed on Thursday, October 20. Committee member Laxman Panthi told RSS that the auspicious hour for Bhai Tika is 11.39 am on this day. The committee has stated that the Bhai Tika should be made facing west. The brothers who are asking for Bhai Tika should stay in the west. The sisters, however, have to return to the east.

He said that it is also scriptural to give tika to the general public at noon. The governor of the state has to give tika on an auspicious time. Bhai Puja and Kija Puja in Newari language are celebrated on Kartik 6. The committee has stated that there is no problem in applying Bhai Tika until sunset in the evening.

Various types of lamps have been lit in major cities including the capital since a week ago on the occasion of Tihar, also known as the festival of Jhilmili. Even when you walk around the city with the light of a lamp, the heart is happy. Some people continue Diwali from Ashwin Shukla Purnima i.e. Kojagrat Purnima. The tradition of worshipping Goddess Laxmi on Kojagrat Purnima and continuing Diwali from the same day has also increased in urban areas.

The Kathmandu Valley, which is usually deserted during Bada Dashain, is full of festivities during Tihar. On the day of Lakshmi Puja, Bhailo is played and on the day of Govardhan Puja, Deusi is played. Especially in various districts of Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces, there is a tradition of playing Deusi Bhailo from the day of Kojagrat Purnima.

Various types of gambling including kauda, langurburja and cards are played on the occasion of festivals. KATHMANDU: Nepal Police has appealed to all to celebrate the festival in a civilized manner without bursting firecrackers. Though a large number of firecrackers are seized before the festival, they have not been spared.