Kaag Tihar: When crow are worshiped

Crows, the messengers of death are kept content with offerings

Nepal Traveller

KATHMANDU

The second-largest festival of Nepalis is Tihar which is celebrated for 5 days starts with the Kaag Tihar. It is also called Yama Panchak. Crows and ravens are worshiped on this auspicious day.

It falls on the Trayodashi of Kartik Krishna Paksha (13th day of the waning moon in the month of Kartik) according to the Hindu calendar. Hindus regard crow as the messenger of Yamaraj the God of death. According to Hindu religion, the cawing of the crows and ravens symbolizes sadness and grief which is why it is believed that offering them sweets and food will keep them content and happy. It is believed that the continuous cowing invites death and bad luck as it carries the message to Yamaraj.

Crows are offered food in order to maintain peace and avoid possible bad luck in the family. They are offered sweets and food on the rooftops of houses. Kaag Tihar also indicates the commencement of the festival of the lights 'Tihar' which represents the divine attachment between humans and other animals.

Complied by Rina Kumari Mandal a content writer at Nepaltraveller. 

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