Celebrating Nepal’s Rich And Colorful Festival Of Lights-Tihar

Tihar is one of my favorite festivals to see in Nepal. Each day of the festival either an animal, a Goddess or a brother/sister relationship are honored. The biggest night, Lakshmi Puja, is the most important night of the festival when houses and businesses are cleaned, decorated with Rangoli art(flower, colored sand) and candles. Prayers are also performed in hopes that the Goddess of Wealth, Lakshmi, will pay a visit and bless your family or business with a prosperous year.                                

While walking around the streets of Thamel and the rest of Kathmandu you’ll notice many people, especially women, are dressed  in their best outfits, many purchased to celebrate this special night.

Thamel, the tourist section of town is one of the best places to hangout and watch the festivities. With the highest concentrations of shops, restaurants and businesses it’s one of the liveliest parts of Kathmandu during the festival with impromptu dancing, singing and traditional gatherings.

India’s version of the Hindu Festival of Lights, Diwali, will seem like a much more robust celebration with a multitude of fireworks lighting the sky and echoing through the streets, and elaborate light and sign displays in front of jewellry shops,  especially in places like Jaipur. 

I enjoy both celebrations but I have an iffinity for the charm of Tihar, with the emphasis on dancing and  singing in the streets and the more earthy candle lit alleys of Thamel and Kathmandu.

In this episode of Far East Adventure Travel Podcast, highlights from the latest Tihar Festival in Kathmandu, Nepal.