Tihar 2083 Complete Guide: Exact Dates, Rituals, Public Holidays & Bhai Tika

Tihar (तिहार), also known as Deepawali or the festival of lights, is one of Nepal's most beloved festivals. Celebrated over five days, Tihar honours animals, welcomes Goddess Laxmi, celebrates prosperity, and strengthens the special bond between brothers and sisters. In 2083 BS, Tihar falls in November 2026, bringing homes and streets to life with oil lamps, colourful rangoli, marigold garlands, traditional songs, and family gatherings.

This complete guide to Tihar 2083 covers the important Nepali and English dates, the five days of celebrations, Laxmi Puja, Bhai Tika, public holiday planning, and ways to follow the Nepali calendar with Mero Miti.

Key Dates at a Glance (2083 BS / 2026 AD)

Important dates: Laxmi Puja falls on Sunday, 8 November 2026 (Kartik 22), while Bhai Tika falls on Wednesday, 11 November 2026 (Kartik 25).

These are the commonly observed festival dates. For auspicious ceremony times, consult the official Panchanga announcement when it becomes available.

What Is Tihar and Why Is It Celebrated?

Tihar is a five-day Hindu festival celebrated throughout Nepal. It is often called the festival of lights because homes, temples, shops, and streets glow with traditional oil lamps called diyos and decorative lights.

Each day has its own significance. Crows, dogs, cows, and oxen are honoured on different days, while Goddess Laxmi is worshipped for wealth and prosperity. The festival concludes with Bhai Tika, a celebration of love, protection, and the enduring relationship between brothers and sisters.

Tihar is also an important time for communities to gather, sing Deusi-Bhailo, prepare traditional foods, decorate doorways with flowers, and share happiness with neighbours.

Day-by-Day Tihar 2083 Rituals and Celebrations

Kaag Tihar (Day 1 – 7 November 2026)

Tihar begins with Kaag Tihar (काग तिहार), the day dedicated to crows. In Hindu tradition, crows are associated with Yama, the god of death, and are regarded as messengers.

Families offer grains, rice, and other food to crows as a gesture of respect. The ritual symbolises a wish for peace, protection, and freedom from sorrow. Kaag Tihar begins the festival by reminding people to respect the creatures that share their world.

Kukur Tihar (Day 2 – 8 November 2026)

Kukur Tihar (कुकुर तिहार) celebrates the loyalty, friendship, and protective role of dogs. Dogs are decorated with flower garlands, receive tika on their foreheads, and are offered special food.

The day recognises dogs as faithful companions and, in Hindu tradition, as animals associated with Yama. Many people also express appreciation for street dogs and other animals.

In 2083 BS, Kukur Tihar coincides with Laxmi Puja on Sunday, 8 November 2026. This makes it a particularly memorable day in the festival calendar.

Laxmi Puja (8 November 2026)

Laxmi Puja (लक्ष्मी पूजा) is one of the most important celebrations of Tihar. Devotees worship Goddess Laxmi, the goddess of wealth, prosperity, and good fortune.

Homes and workplaces are cleaned and decorated in preparation for the celebration. People create colourful rangoli at entrances, arrange marigold garlands, and light diyos and decorative lights. Many families create small footprints leading from the entrance toward their prayer room, symbolising an invitation for Goddess Laxmi to enter their homes.

Businesses, shops, and offices may perform special puja and worship account books or financial records. Families gather for prayers, sweets, and festive meals as neighbourhoods brighten after sunset.

The exact auspicious puja time can vary according to the Panchanga. Check the latest official guidance rather than relying on an unverified time.

Gai Tihar (Day 3 – 9 November 2026)

Gai Tihar (गाई तिहार) honours the cow, which holds an important place in Hindu religious and cultural traditions. The cow is associated with nourishment, generosity, and prosperity.

Traditionally, cows are decorated with garlands, offered tika, and given special food. The day encourages gratitude for the nourishment and support that animals provide to human life.

Homes and neighbourhoods continue their festive decorations, while preparations for the remaining days of Tihar carry on.

Goru Tihar and Govardhan Puja (Day 4 – 10 November 2026)

Goru Tihar (गोरु तिहार) honours oxen, which have traditionally helped farmers plough fields and support agricultural life. They may be decorated and offered food as a gesture of appreciation for their contribution.

Govardhan Puja (गोवर्धन पूजा) is also observed on this day. In Hindu tradition, it commemorates Lord Krishna's protection of the people of Vrindavan. Devotees worship Govardhan Hill and express gratitude for nature and the resources that sustain life.

Mha Puja and Nepal Sambat New Year (10 November 2026)

For the Newar community, the fourth day of Tihar is especially significant because it marks Mha Puja (म्ह पूजा), the ritual worship of oneself. Mha Puja celebrates the body, inner well-being, and the renewal of life.

Families arrange ritual mandalas, make offerings, and gather to pray for good health, happiness, and prosperity. Mha Puja is an important part of the Newar celebration known as Swanti.

The day also marks the beginning of Nepal Sambat 1147. Together, Mha Puja and the New Year represent renewal, community, and a fresh beginning.

Bhai Tika (Day 5 – 11 November 2026)

Bhai Tika (भाइटीका), also known as Kija Puja in the Newar tradition, is the final day of Tihar and one of Nepal's most cherished family celebrations.

Sisters apply colourful tika, often using seven colours, to their brothers' foreheads. They offer garlands, sweets, and prayers for their brothers' long lives, good health, happiness, and protection. Brothers, in turn, offer gifts and blessings to their sisters.

The ritual symbolises the love and mutual care shared by siblings. Families often gather for a special meal and spend time together, making Bhai Tika one of the most emotionally meaningful days of the festival.

Bhai Tika 2083 date: Wednesday, 11 November 2026 (Kartik 25, 2083 BS).

The official auspicious Bhai Tika time, or saait, should be confirmed from the Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Samiti or another reliable official announcement when published.

Deusi-Bhailo: The Music and Joy of Tihar

Deusi-Bhailo is one of the most recognisable traditions of Tihar. Groups of friends, children, families, and community members visit homes singing traditional songs, dancing, and sharing festive greetings.

Hosts welcome the performers with food, sweets, or money. In return, the groups offer blessings and good wishes for prosperity and happiness. The tradition brings neighbours together and helps preserve Nepal's rich cultural heritage.

If you are organising or joining Deusi-Bhailo, be considerate of neighbours, keep gatherings safe, and respect local guidelines on noise and visiting hours.

Tihar Decorations, Food, and Family Traditions

Lighting Diyos and Decorating Homes

Diyos, candles, and decorative lights illuminate homes and streets during Tihar. Rangoli designs made from coloured powders, flowers, rice, or other materials brighten entrances. Marigold and makhamali garlands are widely used for decoration and rituals.

Traditional Tihar Foods

Food is central to the celebrations. Families prepare sel roti, sweets, fruits, and festive meals to share with relatives and guests. Bhai Tika gatherings often feature a special meal, while seasonal treats are exchanged between friends and family.

Gifts and Shopping

Tihar is a popular time for exchanging clothes, sweets, household items, and other gifts. Some families also purchase gold, silver, or utensils around Dhanteras, observed before the main five-day festival.

Thoughtful gifts, safe decorations, and time spent with loved ones matter more than elaborate spending.

Tihar 2083 Public Holidays in Nepal

Tihar is associated with public holidays and changes to normal business, school, and government office schedules. In 2083 BS, the main festival observances run from 7 to 11 November 2026, with the Tihar holiday period extending through 12 November in the published calendar.

Exact leave arrangements can differ between government offices, schools, banks, and private employers. Check the applicable official holiday notice before making travel or work plans.

How to Track Tihar 2083 with Mero Miti

Planning family gatherings, travel, puja, and Bhai Tika is easier when you have the Nepali dates and calendar information in one place. Mero Miti helps you keep track of important dates throughout the year.

• Check today's Nepali date and stay up to date with the Bikram Sambat calendar.
• Convert BS to AD and AD to BS for travel, documents, and festival planning.
• Explore events and holidays to follow important festival dates.
• Use the Mero Miti Panchanga and auspicious-time tools to check ritual information when published.
• Sync your Nepali calendar with Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, or Outlook if the relevant calendar subscription is available.

Visit Mero Miti from your phone or computer to make Nepali date conversion and festival planning simpler.

Quick Tips for a Smooth Tihar

• Mark Laxmi Puja on Sunday, 8 November 2026.
• Plan Bhai Tika gatherings for Wednesday, 11 November 2026.
• Confirm the official Bhai Tika saait before performing the ritual.
• Buy flowers, oil, diyos, and decorations early to avoid last-minute crowds.
• Arrange travel and family visits in advance.
• Use safe lighting and keep open flames away from curtains and other flammable materials.
• Be considerate of animals, neighbours, and people who may be sensitive to loud sounds.
• If you live abroad, add the festival dates to your calendar so you can celebrate with family at the right time.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tihar 2083

When does Tihar start in 2083 BS?

The main five-day Tihar observances begin on Saturday, 7 November 2026 (Kartik 21, 2083 BS), with Kaag Tihar.

When is Laxmi Puja in 2083 BS?

Laxmi Puja falls on Sunday, 8 November 2026 (Kartik 22, 2083 BS), according to the commonly observed Nepali calendar.

When is Bhai Tika in 2083 BS?

Bhai Tika falls on Wednesday, 11 November 2026 (Kartik 25, 2083 BS). Confirm the official auspicious time closer to the festival.

How many days is Tihar celebrated?

Tihar is traditionally celebrated over five main days, each with its own rituals and significance. Some related observances, such as Dhanteras, take place before these days.

Why do people worship dogs during Tihar?

Kukur Tihar honours dogs for their loyalty, companionship, and protective role. Dogs receive tika, flower garlands, and food as a sign of gratitude and respect.

What is the difference between Tihar and Diwali?

Both are festivals associated with lights and prosperity, and many traditions overlap. Tihar in Nepal has its own distinctive five-day observances, including the worship of animals, Mha Puja in the Newar tradition, and Bhai Tika.

What is Mha Puja?

Mha Puja is a Newar ritual of self-worship that celebrates life, inner well-being, and renewal. It is observed during the Tihar period and marks the New Year in Nepal Sambat.

Celebrate Tihar 2083 with Light, Love, and Gratitude

Tihar is more than a festival of lights. It is a celebration of gratitude toward animals, hope for prosperity, respect for cultural traditions, and the love shared between family members. From the first offerings of Kaag Tihar to the colourful tika of Bhai Tika, each day carries a special meaning.

Whether you are celebrating in Nepal or joining your family from abroad, knowing the correct dates helps you take part in the celebrations with confidence.

Bookmark Mero Miti to keep track of Nepali dates, festival calendars, and important occasions throughout 2083 BS.

Happy Tihar 2083!
May the festival bring light, happiness, prosperity, and good health to you and your loved ones.