KATHMANDU: As part of Tihar festival, Kaag Tihar is being celebrated today as the first day of the five-day-long festival.

The day is observed by offering food to the crow. The crow is regarded as the messenger of Yamaraj, the Hindu god of death and justice.

It is religiously believed that feeding rice pudding to crows on this day will carry a good message to Yamaraj.

On this occasion, a special worship service is held today at Kageshwari Mahadev Temple located in Kageshwari Manohara Municipality.

Similarly, special worship of the crow is also performed in the Kageshwari Temple located in Hanumandhoka.

The festival of Tihar is also associated with the belief that Yamaraj will punish those who commit evil deeds and Dharmaraj will protect those who do good deeds.

Due to the change in date this year, Yama Panchak or Tihar festival which starts in the evening on the day of Kartik Krishna Trayodashi has started on Saturday.

Similarly, the Dhanteras festival of buying jewelry and copper utensils to keep Goddess Lakshmi happy was also celebrated on Friday.