KATHMANDU: On the main day of the Tihar festival, hundreds of people without brothers or sisters observed Bhai Tika at the historic Bal Gopaleshwar Temple located at Rani Pokhari in Kathmandu, celebrating the festival of love, faith, and affection among siblings.
Although the auspicious time for Bhai Tika was set at 11:39 AM, the temple opened to the public early in the morning. According to priest Bhemba Koirala, around 1,500 devotees had received tika by midday.
As per tradition, the Bal Gopaleshwar Temple opens only once a year, on the day of Bhai Tika. The temple premises witnessed heavy footfall since dawn as devotees queued up for prayers and tika rituals.
The age-old tradition allows individuals without siblings to experience the essence of the festival by receiving tika from the temple priests. It is believed that offering prayers to Lord Bal Gopaleshwar and receiving tika on this day brings blessings, long life, and prosperity.
Devotees offered flowers, garlands, colored rice, and sweets to the deity and received panchrangi (five-colored) and sapta-rangi (seven-colored) tika as per the ritual customs. After receiving tika, many exchanged greetings and wished each other longevity, health, and happiness.
Bhai Tika marks the concluding day of the five-day Tihar festival, symbolizing the deep bond between brothers and sisters. On this day, sisters pray for their brothers’ well-being and long life, while brothers offer gifts and blessings in return.
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