Changing Dynamics of Tihar

Changing Dynamics of Tihar

Tihar, the festival of lights, is one of the most important festivals in Nepal. It is celebrated for five days. Crows are worshipped on the first day. Delicious meal is cooked early morning in every household and each member of the family takes some food outside. The crows descend in large numbers to partake the offerings. Second day is dedicated to worshipping of dogs. Kukur (Dogs) are decorated with flower garland around their necks. Red tika is applied on their forehead. They also get to savour delicous meals. Cows are worshipped on the third day of the Tihar. On this very day, Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth, is worshipped with great zeal and faith. Whole country is illuminated with lights. Candle lights and oil lamps are traditionally used for the purpose. The 'puja' is usually performed at dusk, preferably by female. They make a symbolic footprint outside the home with red mud and then walk to the room where the goddess is worshipped. Bhailini songs are played on this day specially by group of girls and men sing Deusi or Deusuray songs. Fifth day, also known as Bhai Tika, is the day of brothers and sisters. Sisters pray for brothers' long life and prosperity while brothers offer gifts.

The theory being applied here to explain the changing dynamics of Tihar is the Symbolic Interactionism theory. Symbolic interactionism originated with two key theorists, George Herbert Mead and Charles Horton Cooley.  With Symbolic interactionism, reality is seen as social, developed interaction with others. Herbert Blumer, coined the term "symbolic interactionism" and put forward an influential summary of the perspective: people act toward things based on the meaning those things have for them; and these meanings are derived from social interaction and modified through interpretation.

As a child we saw Tihar as an elongated holiday vacation of Dashain when we got to savour the different kinds of festival "Rotis" and other sweet delicacies. We met...