Main Info
The five-day Tihar festival of lights honours Yama, the God of Death, while the worship of Laxmi, the Goddess of Wealth, dominates the festivities. On the first day, Kaag Tihar, the crow, Yama’s informant, is worshipped. The second day, Kukur Tihar, is for worshipping the dogs as the agents of Yama. The third day is Gai Tihar and Laxmi Puja. On this day, the cow, representing Laxmi, is offered prayers and food in the morning, and the Goddess Laxmi is honoured with elaborate prayers and puja in the evening.
The fourth day is dedicated to the draught animal, the ox, and the Newari community also performs Mha Puja, a ritual honouring oneself. The fifth day is Brothers’ Day, when sisters bless their brothers by applying tika on their foreheads. This festival is renowned for the lighting of homes with candles, oil-wick lamps, and electric lights. Houses across the country are adorned with extra lights and garlands, and a magnificent view of the brightly lit-up Kathmandu city can be seen from the Swoyambhunath Stupa. The celebrations begin with the veneration of crows and dogs. Leaf dishes filled with rice, incense, and light are offered to the dark messenger, while dogs are worshipped and provided with treats.
During the day known as Laxmi Puja, the Goddess of Wealth is welcomed into people’s homes by laying a path of footprints leading inside. All lights are kept on and doors and windows are left open to invite the goddess. Rows of lamps line the windows and doorways, in the hopeful expectation that Laxmi, the Goddess of Wealth, will notice and enter. This day also belongs to the cow, which represents Laxmi. Bhai Tika is a day people eagerly anticipate. In some communities, siblings exchange the tika mark on this occasion. Bhai means “brother” in Nepali. Brothers and sisters honour each other, and sisters pray to Yama, the God of Death, for their brothers’ progress, prosperity, and longevity.
The brothers give gifts to their sisters, and the festival concludes with a feast. It is also customary to go from house to house, singing Tihar songs and bestowing blessings, with the residents reciprocating by offering money.
| Package Name | Tihar Culture Tour |
| Accommodation | 5 nights accommodation in hotels and resorts |
| Travel Destination(s) | Nepal |
| Meal Plan | 5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches and 5 Dinners |
| Duration | 5 nights / 6 days |
| Package Price | USD 700 per person |
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Itinerary
Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, a representative from IME Travels will be there to greet you warmly. They will then escort you to your hotel accommodations (Hotel Le Himalaya). After you have had a chance to freshen up, you will receive a briefing about the activities planned for your trip. In the evening, you will be treated to a dinner at a traditional Nepali restaurant, complete with cultural entertainment. You will then spend the night at your hotel in Kathmandu.
After an early morning breakfast we will start out our day with a tour to Pashupatinath, a revered site for Hindu devotees. The Pashupatinath temple is considered one of the most revered Shiva Kshetras, or Shiva's dwellings, according to the Skanda Purana. It is also one of Tevaram's Paadal Petra Sthalams, or Tamil Tevara Sthalams. As a complementary pair, the temple is regarded as the other half of Kedarnath Temple.
Afterwards, we will depart for Boudhanath. The semicircular Boudha stupa houses the Buddha's relics and remnants. The stupa is among the biggest spherical stupas in the world due to its enormous mandala. One of the most visited tourist destinations in Kathmandu, Boudha Stupa was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979. We will also have a unique experience with Tibetan lunch in Bouddha.
Following our lunch, we will make our way to Chandragiri where we will hop on a cable car car ride to Chandragiri Hills. Views of the Kathmandu Valley and the Himalayan peaks, including Everest and Annapurna, are expansive from the hill. The Bhaleshwor Mahadev temple can be reached by the cable car system on Chandragiri Hill. Prithivi Narayan Shah made the decision to incorporate the stunning Nepal valley within his Gorkha Kingdom at Chandragiri.
After our day's excursions, we will retire at Chandragiri Hills Resort for the day.
After breakfast we will leave for Kathmandu and drive to Swayambhunath Stupa. With multiple shrines and monasteries on its grounds, this stupa is the oldest of its kind in Nepal. Literally translated, "self-existent one" is Swayambhu. Built by King Manadeva, it is thought to have been constructed in 460 A.D. By the 13th century, it had grown to become a significant Buddhist centre.
Then we will set off to Kathmandu Durbar Square. Durbar Square, which derives from the word "palace," was the site of the city's royal coronation and legitimation as well as the seat of their reign. As a result, the square continues to be both Kathmandu's most magnificent example of traditional architecture and the traditional centre of the old town.
Before lunch, we will take a walking tour from Indra Chowk to Thamel through the oldest alleys and observe the historic city and the decorated markets for the Tihar festival. The walk will take around 30 mins after which we will have our lunch.
After lunch, our Thamel exploration will begin. Thamel is the heart of Nepal’s tourism industry. Since the hippie age, when many artists travelled to Nepal and spent weeks in Thamel, Thamel has been the hub of Kathmandu's tourism sector. In the evening, we will have a traditional Thali Set as our dinner with a cultural show to conclude the day. Overnight in Hotel Le Himalaya.
Today while the sightseeings will be limited, we will experience the Newari tradition of Mha Puja. After breakfast, we will drive to Patan to explore the Patan Durbar Square. There are numerous historic sites, temples, and shrines in the plaza that are renowned for their magnificent carvings. The focus of Patan's religious and social life is the former royal palace complex, which also has a museum with a collection of religious artefacts and bronze statues.
Then we will take part in Mha puja with the locals. The Newari people of Nepal perform Mha Puja every year as a rite to honour their essence and to purify and enliven the soul. Mha Puja celebrates one's existence, soul, and body by turning the attention within, in contrast to traditional rituals that centre around deities. A Newari lunch will also be provided after which we will drive back to our hotel for dinner and rest.
Today is an important day on our trip. Concluding breakfast, we will again set out to Patan to celebrate Bhai Tika with the locals. On this day, the sisters put Tika on their brothers' foreheads, express gratitude for their protection, and wish them a long and prosperous life. The vibrant Tika, known in Nepali as "Saptarangi Tika," is made up of seven hues. The sisters provide sweets, special foods, and bouquets of marigold and chrysanthemum for the Tika.
For lunch you can either choose between Newari or Nepalese Thali. Depending on the available time, we will also participate in Thangka Painting or Pottery. Afterwards, we will return to the hotel to freshen up. The evening is yours to explore. Take in the Tihar vibes in Kathmandu or go shopping for gifts and souvenirs. Dinner and overnight in Hotel Le Himalaya.
Today marks the end of our tour. We bid you farewell and hope to see you soon.
FAQs
Tihar is a 5-day long festival of lights and the second most important festival in Nepal after Dashain.
People worship different animals and deities in Tihar such as Crow on the first day, Dogs on the 2nd day, Goddess Laxmi on the 3rd day, ox on the 4th day and finally bhai tika/Mha puja on the last day.
Tihar is referred to as the “Festival of Lights” because of the abundance of candles, lamps, and decorative lights that are used throughout the festivities.
Tihar is also called Deepawali, Yamapanchak and Diwali.
Tihar is celebrated 2 weeks after Dashain.
Trip Highlights
- Experience a Nepali family’s hospitality through a homestay
- Immerse yourself in the vibrant festivities and traditions of the Tihar Festival
- Savour the diverse flavours of Nepali and Newari cuisine
- Gain insights into the local culture and way of life
- Discover the rich artistic and architectural heritage
- Uncover the untold stories and histories of the region
- Explore the sights and attractions of Kathmandu
- Visit heritage sites steeped in profound historical significance
