Bhai Tika

Bhai Tika is the fifth and the final day of the popular Festival of Light called ‘Tihar’ or ‘Panchak Yama’ in Nepal. As Bhai Tika is a part of Tihar celebrations it is also known as ‘Bhai Tihar’. Bhai Tika is an extremely important festival for brothers and sisters all over Nepal and they celebrate the occasion with lot of enthusiasm and gaiety. On this day, sisters apply tilak on the forehead of their brothers and pray to Lord Yama, the God of death, for their brother’s long and prosperous life. Exchange of gifts besides lot of merrFestival of Bhai Tika holds a lot of importance for the people of Nepal and they celebrate the festival following all the set rituals and tradition. There is a popular legend behind the origination of Bhai Tika in Nepal. It says that long ago a sister saved the life of his brother from the clutches of Yamaraj (the God of death) by performing Bhai Tika. Since that time sisters have been applying tikka on their brothers forehead, in a belief that this will protect their brothers from death and they will enjoy a long life. Sisters also pray for their brothers health and prosperity on this day. In several societies sisters invite brothers to their house on the occasion of Bhai Tika. To begin the ceremony, sister draws three mandaps or boundaries at a designated place. The mandaps are one each for Lord Ganesh, Janmaraj (the God of birth) and Yamaraj. The sister then perform Puja of the deities. After this, brother is given a seating on a mat for the tika ceremony. Sisters apply a special Paanch Rangi Tika’ consisting of five colours (red, green, blue, yellow and white) on the forehead of their brother. Following the custom, sister worships for her brothers long life and draws a boundary (mandap) around her brothers with oil using doob grass. This interesting tradition is symbolic of the belief that no one including Yama can cross this line of protection guarded by a loving sister. Brothers also bless their sisters with a happy liiment marks the beautiful festival of Bhai Teeka.