KATHMANDU, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Nepalese Hindu across the country on Saturday observed Bhaitika, the major and last day of five-day long Tihar festival.
Every year, Bhaitika falls on the second lunar day of bright fortnight in the month of Kartik according to lunar calendar. The day is regarded as the most special one as it honors the relationship and bonding between brothers and sisters.
The auspicious time for Bhaitika this year was at 11:51 local time, however, celebrations continued for the whole day.
On the occasion, sisters offer "tika" on the forehead of their brothers and wish them happiness, long life and prosperity. This tika is locally called Saptarangi as it consists seven different colors. Sisters also put garlands made up of marigold and globe amaranth to their brothers.
Besides tika and garland, sisters also offer varieties of sweets, fruits, dry food and gifts.
In return, brothers also apply colourful tika to their sisters and offer them money and presents.
According to Hindu myth, the occasion commemorates a legendary event in which a sister has won a boon from "Yama", the deity of death that her brother would not die until the garlands are faded.
Meanwhile, Nepali Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba received tika and blessing from his sister while the President Bidya Devi Bhandari also put tika to her younger brother on the auspicious time.
The Nepali government had announced a three-day public holiday to mark the festival.
