Kathmandu. Bhai Tika, also known as Yamapanchak, is being celebrated on the main day of Tihar. On this day, the sisters and brothers are being marked by applying the five-colored or seven-colored Tika, wishing for long life, health and prosperity to their brothers with reverence, faith and sincerity.

KATHMANDU: The Nepali brothers and sisters are receiving tika and blessings from their sisters and brothers today on the sixth day of the Tihar, the second biggest festival of Nepalis. This day is also known as Yama Dwitiya.

Although the Tihar also known as Yamapanchak lasts for five days, this year the date has been extended and Bhai Tika is celebrated on the sixth day, according to the Nepal Calendar Determination Development Committee.

After the sisters give tika to their brothers, the brothers also give tika to the sisters.

According to theologian and member of Nepal Calendar Determination Development Committee, Prof Dr Devmani Bhattarai, there is a scriptural belief that worshipping sisters leads to eternal good fortune and opulence.

Committee Chair Prof Shambhu Prasad Dhakal said although there was no hindrance in the day today, the time for the Abhijit Muhurat at 11:39 am is the best time for those looking for an auspicious time. This year, the sisters should return east and the brothers demanding Bhai Tika should return west, the committee has said. If you do this, you will be facing the moon in the west of Libra. There is a classical rule that the moon should be placed in front of or to the right in auspicious deeds. There is a classical rule that the moon should be facing or right while doing good deeds.

The committee has said that the state government should get vaccinated at the right time. On the day of Laxmi Puja, the lamps, the kalash and Ganesh are worshipped and the goddess Markandeya, Ashwatthama, Bali, Vyas, Hanuman, Vibhishana, Kripacharya and Parashuram, Chiranjeevi, Chitragupta, Yamaraj, Yamuna, Dharmaraj, Ganapati and other deities are worshiped and the sisters cover the brothers with a stream of oil and garland of flowers including seven-colored or five-colored tika, velvet, Sayapatri or Godavari among others.

Although it is publicized that the seven-coloured tika should be applied during the Tihar, the classical belief mentions that the color of the tika is red, white, yellow, green and blue.

There is a religious and social tradition where sisters give walnut, bitter gourd, spices and selroti to their brothers after giving tika to their brothers.

Balgopaleshwar Open for Sisters and Brothers

The Balgopaleshwar Temple in the middle of Ranipokhari in Kathmandu is opened on this day for those who do not have sisters. The Balgopaleshwar temple is opened once a year on this day. Those who do not have sisters and brothers visit this temple on the day of Bhai Tika and offer prayers.