KATHMANDU: Today marks the main day of the Tihar festival, Bhai Tika. On this special occasion, the Balgopaleshwar Temple, located in the middle of Ranipokhari in Kathmandu, is open to the public—specifically for individuals without brothers or sisters.
The Balgopaleshwar Temple opens only once a year, on this day. People without siblings visit the temple to offer prayers and receive tika, following the traditional rituals of Bhai Tika.
Similarly, at the Khanjaneshwar Mahadev Temple in Jayabageshwori, it is customary for those without brothers or sisters to visit, worship, and receive tika on Bhai Tika day.
Before 2035 BS, the Balgopaleshwar Temple inside Ranipokhari remained closed because people would jump into the pond to reach it. During that time, many devotees without siblings used to gather instead at the Khanjaneshwar Mahadev Temple in Jayabageshwori.
Although the number of visitors there has decreased in recent years, devotees still queue up for worship on this auspicious day.
Since then, the Balgopaleshwar Temple in Ranipokhari has been regularly opened for the public on Bhai Tika. The Newar community celebrates this day as Kija Puja.
It is stated that some members of the Newar community in Bhaktapur observed Kija Puja on Wednesday, following the decision of the priest of the Taleju Temple, according to the Bhaktapur Municipality.
Comment