This year the five days of Tihar are celebrated November 6-10. The Festival of Tihar worships Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth; the lowly dog, the ill-omened crow as well as the Sacred Cow, the family money box and the males in every household. It is also a time for self-worship.

Day 1
Kag Bali, Day of the Crow. The messenger of Yama, the Lord of Death is worshipped.

Day 2
is for the worship of dogs, domestic pets as well as the scruffy pariahs that roam the streets. The red tikaa, a mark of blessing, is placed on the dogs' foreheads, their necks are garlanded with flowers, and they are fed like kings for that day.

Day 3
The third day, Lakshmi pujaa is of vital importance. Throughout the day, the Sacred Cow and the Goddess of Wealth are worshipped, together with the family treasures. Since time immemorial, the cow has been honored earthly form Lakshmi who provides the essentials of life; milk, curds, butter and dung. Homes are thoroughly scrubbed with red mud and cow dung; lamps are made ready and doorways are decorated with red powder, flowers and festoons, for on this night the Goddess of Wealth circles the globe at midnight, visiting only those homes that have prepared for her visit. Often a lacy white pathway is made on the floor with a blossom dipped in rice flour paste, all the way from the front entrance to the place where the money box is kept, thereby sanctifying every spot whereon Lakshmi treads. Flickering oil wick lamps are set near the roadway from which a pathway leads across the bare earth, moistened with holy water, to guide Lakshmi into the door. It is very beautiful. During this evening, groups of women and children go from door to door singing Lakshmi's Bhailo songs asking for alms, receiving coins and sweets from housewives in an old custom which on the following night becomes the prerogative of men and boys. Towns, villages, and rural shacks glow with rows and rows of lights. Doors and windows are flung open to welcome the Goddess- Children run through the streets with glittering sparklers, and the cracking and popping of fireworks is heard all over town.

Day 4
Celebrations will vary from village to village. Many families worship their bull oxens in the morning in the hope that these valuable animals will be protected from diseases and accidents in the coming year. In addition, household utensils, gardening and farming tools are honored and blessed.

Day 5
The last day of Tihar is a time when every male in Nepal is honored and receives tikaa from his sisters, assuring him of prosperity, health and long life. So important is Bhai Tikaa that if a man has no sister then a female relative or friend bestows this benediction on him.