KATHMANDU: The Nepal Panchang Nirnayak Vikas Samiti has announced the most auspicious time for Bhai Tika this year. According to the committee, the best time falls on Thursday, October 23, at 11:39 a.m., said committee chairman Prof. Shambhu Prasad Dhakal.
“While the state head should follow the auspicious muhurat, the general public can safely apply tika during the afternoon,” committee member Prof. Devmani Bhattarai said.
This year, Yam Panchak begins on Saturday, October 18, when Yamdeep Daan is traditionally offered. Other festivals during this period include Dhanteras, Kag Tihar (October 19), Dhanvantari Jayanti, Kukur Tihar and Laxmi Puja (October 20), and Go, Goru, and Aatma (Mha) Puja (October 22), following Vedic and Panchang guidelines.
The committee also confirmed that according to tradition, Nepal Sambat New Year 1146 will be celebrated on October 22, coinciding with Aatma (Mha) Puja in the evening.
Following classical rituals, Bhai Tika (or Kija Puja in Newar tradition) will be observed on Thursday, October 23, with the auspicious window lasting until 7:04 a.m. on November 18. Eldest siblings traditionally place tika first, in line with Vedic prescriptions.
The annual Yam Panchak festival spans from Kartik Krishna Trayodashi to Kartik Shukla Dwitiya, during which families perform Yamdeep Daan, offering lamps to Yamaraj to seek protection and blessings. During Kag and Kukur Tihar, crows and dogs are also offered sweets, following Vedic customs, as they are considered messengers of Yamaraj.
Comment