Bhai Tika is a specific festival that exclusively acknowledges and showcases the love between brother and sister.
A brother, far from the city of sister, comes to sister's place today and they rejoice sisterhood and brotherhood.
Today, it is customary for sisters to worship their brothers, including saptarangi tikas, ever fresh-looking Makhamali garlands, selrotis, anarsa, chocolate, cashews, raisins, coconut, sweets, spices, and other foods. Brother gifts back to sister, this is a divine festival. Bhai means brother and Tika join together to make Bhai Tika.
It is believed that even the Yamaraj, the god of death once returned without occurring death to a man. This happened because the perspective's sister prayed to Yama for the long life of her brother.
Yamaraj also comes to the earth and meets his sister today, as mentioned in quotes and scriptures.
There is a huge importance of Saptarangi Tika or the tika made of seven colors, especially today. People are seen with a rainbow-colored Tika in their forehead, this signifies that they have sisters and brothers and they value that relationship.
Brothers and sisters who have not met for a long time are meeting today. Love and harmony are being exchanged. Even in Nepal, India, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Thailand, the festival is celebrated in its own way. Today is a very important and enjoyable day of brotherhood and love.
Things are different, due to the health crisis there is a transmission risk. May every brother and sisters be safe and may the love prevail.
Gobardhan Puja
Today is Gobardhan Puja, Gobar means the holy cow dung so today Sanatan people acknowledge the importance of the mother cow. Crows, dogs, cows, and other animals involved in ancient agricultural work are hugely acknowledged in Yamapanchak days. Gobardhan Puja reminds us of the importance placed on our agricultural life by animals.
It is mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita that Lord Krishna lifted the Gobardhan mountain with his little finger to save the people of Dwarika from the catastrophe caused by the incessant rains that fell in Gokul due to the wrath of King Indra of heaven.
It is also mentioned that Indra today regretted his behavior and apologized to Lord Krishna. Today, the same Gobardhana mountain that Sri Krishna lifted with his finger is worshiped. Thus, while worshiping Gobardhan mountain, it has been customary to worship the Gobar as a symbol of Gobardhan mountain.
Not just cows but oxen are also worshipped today. If we remember the ancient Nepali society, carts pulled by animals including ox carts were the main means of transportation from one place to another and the main bases of agricultural work. For these cows and oxen, today they are given a mixture of flour, salt, bran, and water cooked like a pancake.
Another big highlight of the day is Deusi. Yesterday's Bhaile's Vaka and today Deunse's Vaka. Of course, due to the Corona tragedy and the health crisis, these interesting things will not continue this year, but we will rejoice in the memories of the previous year and cultivate hope for forthcomings.
Deunse is a pre-historic storytelling and singing tradition, where a group of people visits a neighbor's doorstep, courtyard, and organize a musical and lyrical event for a short time. This is a traditional way of storytelling, those Deunse narrates several stories of ancient King Bali and other ancient pauranik characters. Later Deunse receives foods, grains, money, and thanks from the house owner, the ceremony ends with the flow of best wishes and blessings to the house owner, family, and society.
Nepal Sambat 1141
Today, the Newar community living in and out of the Kathmandu Valley celebrates the new year (Nepal Sambat) i.e. "Nhudanya Bhintuna" (exchange of New Year greetings) and develops ethnic unity and ancestral common culture. This Samvat, especially considered by the Newar community, is also a fundamental Samvat of Nepal.
Nepal Samvat is the epoch run by national luminary Shankhadhar Sakhwa by freeing the people across the country from debt. On this occasion, Bhintuna rallies are being held all over the country and abroad saying 'Nhudanya Bhintuna'.
Nepal Samvat is based on the lunar month. The first day of Nepal Samvat falls on the day of Kartik Shukla Paksha of Bikram Samvat.
There is a history of Nepal Samvat in government offices from the time of King Raghav Dev of Bhaktapur to the time of Chandra Shamsher. In this Samvat a month is measured between one no moon day (Aaunshi) to another Aaunshi and in this Samvat a year of 354 days falls.
According to the Nepal Samvat, the months are called Kachla, Thinla, Ponhela, Silla, Chilla, Chwala, Banchala, Tanthala, Della, Gunla, Nala, and Kaula respectively. The Government of Nepal has also given official recognition to this Samvat. In the Newari community, this samvat is widely used and measured.
Welcome to the month of Kachla of Nepal 1141.
International Day for tolerance
International Tolerance Day is a day declared by UNESCO to raise public awareness of the dangers of disagreement, misunderstanding, and intolerance around the world since 1995. Today, UNESCO organizes various conferences and events every year on the occasion of this day of 16th November. At such events, there is a serious discussion about the promotion of tolerance and non-violence.
All over the world, modernization is bringing about profound changes in societies. This is opening up huge opportunities for communication and exchange. At the same time, it raises new challenges, such as inequality and poverty. Now that we see the debate over the rise and fall of immoral politics and dividing strategies in various places, we are now rejecting diversity as a source of weakness.
Abuse, hatred, and terrorist attacks have not been able to unite the human community. In this context, the lack of tolerance and harmony are witnessed. Tolerance will play a key role in today's society to get rid of this growing inhuman complexity.
All cultures are different, all people are different, but the community of humanity is the same. Tolerance is the struggle for peace. Today, the day respects diversity and pluralism based on human rights. Let's practice tolerance in our lives, try to understand others, learn to reject all discrimination and hatred, and end imperialism.
Suyog Dhakal
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