Cow Tihar, Day 3 of Yama Panchak

Cow tihar or Gai tihar the third day of the brightest festival Tihar in Nepal. The five days celebration of tihar which is also known as Yama panchak, tihar is the most celebrated festival in Nepal after Dashain. Cow tihar is also considered as the ride of Goddess Laxmi. Goddess Laxmi is considered as the goddess of wealth. Cow are not only worshipped it is also the national animal of Nepal. There is also a law, if you harm or slaughter a cow, you will have to face a criminal charge.

Tihar is celebrated in Nepal after a couple of weeks of Dashain. It is also famous and celebrated throughout Nepal with excitement and enthusiasm. It is a five days celebration and each day has its special significance. These five days are also called Yama Panchak. A famous story about a brother, Yama and sister, Yamuna is one of the reasons behind the celebration. This celebration is the fifth day of Tihar, because Yamuna wanted to spend time with her brother.

She sent a crow, a dog and then a cow to invite him to visit her. Then she again went herself, to invite him over. Yamuna made a circle with mustard oil, makhamali mala plant and mentioned that until the oil and the plant dried up, Yama was not to leave his sister. Then, she worshipped her brother with flowers, 5 different colored tika, garland made with marigold and also fasted all day for his long life.

When is Cow Tihar celebrated?

The third day of Tihar is Gai Tihar or the worshipping of the Cow. Also, in the evening people worship Goddess Laxmi and she is the goddess of wealth.

This day is celebrated in the morning of Laxmi puja. This day usually falls in the month of Kartik according to the Gregorian calendar.

Why is cow tihar celebrated?

Cow tihar, the third day of the brightest festival Tihar in Nepal. The five days celebration of tihar which is also known as Yama panchak, tihar is the most celebrated festival in Nepal after Dashain. Cow is also considered as the ride of Goddess Laxmi and also it gives more than it takes, it produces milk, which can be converted into ghee, cheese etc. Also, it produces urine and dung, that can be used as a fertilizer and burned as a fuel. Goddess Laxmi is considered as the goddess of wealth.

How is Cow Tihar celebrated?

In the morning of Laxmi puja, cow tihar is celebrated. This falls on the third day of Yama Panchak. Usually, worshippers show their gratitude to the cow by feeding them treats, worshipping them with tikas and garland. Cows are worshipped with sesame oil light, garland made with marigold flower, red color powder, sel roti, rice, dal.

The Story Behind Tihar

Tihar is celebrated in Nepal after a couple of weeks of Dashain. It is also famous and celebrated throughout Nepal with excitement and enthusiasm. It is a five days celebration and each day has its special significance. A famous story about a brother, Yama and sister, Yamuna is one of the reasons behind the celebration. This celebration is the fifth day of Tihar, because Yamuna wanted to spend time with her brother.

She sent a crow, a dog and then a cow to invite him to visit her. Then she again went herself, to invite him over. Yamuna made a circle with mustard oil, Makhmali plant and mentioned that until the oil and the plant dried up, Yama was not to leave his sister. Then, she worshipped her brother with flowers, 5 different colored tika, garland made with marigold and also fasted all day for his long life.

What are the five days of Tihar?

Kaag Tihar (Worshipping of Crow)
Kukur Tihar (Worshpping of a dog)
Gai Tihar (Worshipping of a Cow), Laxmi Tihar or Deepwali (Worshipping of Goddess Laxmi)
Govardhan Puja (Worshipping of miniature hill using cow dung and mud), Mah Puja (purify and empower the soul as part of New Year celebrations)
Bhai Tika (Worshipping of a brother)

If you want to learn more about other festivities here are some popular ones:

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