KATHMANDU: President Ramchandra Paudel has stated that Tihar is a festival of light and brilliance that carries significant cultural, mythological, and scientific importance. In a message issued on the occasion of Tihar 2083, he remarked that the festival serves to unite various castes, languages, and cultures under a single bond of unity.
Highlighting Tihar as a vital link in preserving Nepal’s original culture, President Paudel noted that the rituals performed during the festival, including Bhai Tika and Mha Puja, convey messages of love, affection, social unity, prosperity, religion, compassion, and the victory of light over darkness. He noted that the festival involves the honoring of crows, dogs, cows, oxen, and mountains, alongside the worship of Goddess Laxmi and the exchange of Tika between brothers and sisters.
The president emphasized the interdependent relationship between humans and nature. His message stated, ‘In this festival that reflects respect and love for family, nature, animals, and deities to deepen the harmonious relationship between humans and other birds, animals, and creatures, there is a tradition of lighting lamps, eating delicious food, and playing Deusi-Bhailo to show social brotherhood and harmony.’
President Paudel expressed his hope that the various cultural practices observed during Tihar would spread light in human life and inspire everyone to move forward on the path of truth, justice, and social good governance.
