November 3: People across the country are observing Tihar, the second biggest festival of Nepal. This festival is also called Deepwali or the Festival of Lights. The festival is celebrated for five full days during the Yama Panchak as per the lunar calendar of Nepal. However, this year, the main events of the festival will be celebrated only for four days due to the alteration in dates, according to the Nepal Calendar Determination Committee.    

The first day of Tihar is dedicated to worshipping of crows that are considered as the messenger of Lord Yamaraj, the God of Death. Every household offers food to crows on the top of their terraces to mark this day.

This year, even dogs are worshipped on the same day. Dogs are considered as the gate keepers of the palace of the God of Death. On this day, dogs are worshipped and fed with delicious food as an expression of gratitude. Dogs are considered as man's best friend and have been domesticated for over thousands of years.

The religious texts mention about how King Bali, the generous demon king, was given the opportunity by Lord Vishnu, the protector of the world, to rule all over the universe for these five days. To celebrate his ascension to the lordship of the entire universes, he ordered everyone to celebrate the Tihar festival for five days with lights and flowers.

This belief has given rise to the tradition of Deusi-Bhailo, in which people visit every households seeking blessings and singing praise of King Bali as they are treated with delicacies and offered money.  

It is also believed that Lord Yamraj, the God of Death, visits his sister Yamuna for a vacation for five full days during this festival. Therefore, this festival derives its name as Yam Panchak.