Tihar is Nepal’s five-day festival of lights: a celebration of gratitude, kinship, animals, prosperity and the bond between siblings. This guide brings the verified 2026 dates, meaning and practical traditions together in one place.
Tihar 2026 day-by-day dates
Kaag Tihar
The crow is honoured as a messenger.
Kukur Tihar & Laxmi Puja
Dogs are thanked; lamps welcome Goddess Laxmi.
Gai Tihar
The cow is honoured with gratitude.
Govardhan Puja & Mha Puja
Traditions honour sustenance, self and renewal.
Bhai Tika
Siblings exchange blessings and gifts.
Why Tihar is celebrated
Tihar is also called Yama Panchak. Stories associated with Yama and Yamuna frame its themes of protection and long life. Across five days, households honour crows, dogs and cows; worship Laxmi; observe Govardhan Puja or Mha Puja; welcome Nepal Sambat; and conclude with Bhai Tika.
Tihar is not celebrated identically in every home. Newar, Madhesi, hill and diaspora communities may follow different sequences, foods, songs and ritual details. This guide preserves that diversity rather than presenting one household’s practice as universal.
How families prepare
- Clean the home and entrance before Laxmi Puja.
- Prepare safe clay diyas, stable surfaces and rangoli materials.
- Arrange flowers, fruit, sweets and ritual items according to family custom.
- Plan respectful care for animals—avoid unsafe food, harsh colour or stressful handling.
- Welcome Deusi–Bhailo groups if your community follows the tradition.
Explore every tradition
Kaag Tihar
Meaning, date, customs and respectful ways to observe.
Kukur Tihar
Meaning, date, customs and respectful ways to observe.
Laxmi Puja
Meaning, date, customs and respectful ways to observe.
Gai Tihar
Meaning, date, customs and respectful ways to observe.
Govardhan & Mha Puja
Meaning, date, customs and respectful ways to observe.
Bhai Tika
Meaning, date, customs and respectful ways to observe.
Deusi–Bhailo
Meaning, date, customs and respectful ways to observe.
Rangoli & diya guide
Meaning, date, customs and respectful ways to observe.
Frequently asked questions
When is Laxmi Puja in 2026?
Sunday, 8 November 2026, alongside Kukur Tihar in the published calendar.
When is Bhai Tika?
Wednesday, 11 November 2026. Auspicious times vary by location and panchang.
Is Tihar the same as Diwali?
They share a festival-of-lights season and devotion to Laxmi, but Tihar has a distinctly Nepali five-day structure with animal-honouring days, Deusi–Bhailo and Bhai Tika.
Practical Tihar resources
Original planning guides and interactive tools for preparing, cooking, sharing wishes and celebrating anywhere in the world.
Dates and editorial sources
Dates were checked against published Nepal calendars. Ritual details vary by location, community and family.