Tihar, also called Yama Panchak, is a five-day festival considered the second biggest in the country after Dashain. It is believed that Yamaraj, the god of death, takes a break from his usual work to pay a visit to his sister during this time. Tihar is a time when Nepalis express their gratitude to family and self as well as the animals. Not only deities and humans are worshipped during this festival of lights, but even animals are a prominent part of the celebration.

Tihar might be celebrated in different ways by different people depending on where and how they live. Sumit Pokharel of My City talked to four celebrities to learn how they plan to celebrate this Tihar. Following are the edited excerptions from his conversations with the celebs.

Manoj Gajurel-Comedian

What are your plans for Tihar?

I landed in Nepal just yesterday, so I haven’t been able to do much preparation for the festival yet. I however plan to play deusi-vailo with my friends around the neighborhood. 

Any particularly memorable Tihar?

Every Tihar celebration have had its own impact as well as memories. So it will definitely be quite challenging for a person to choose one Tihar among the many. I haven’t received tika from my sisters during Bhai Tika for almost a decade now as I was away since 2045 BS.  When I finally got to be together with them and celebrate Tihar, it probably was the most memorable among all the festivals I’ve celebrated so far. 

Best and worst things about the festival?

Everything about Tihar is beautiful. Be it the illuminating houses during nights, the colorful ‘Rangoli’ and the trails connected to it that our sisters zealously draw inviting Goddess Laxmi to our houses or worshipping animals alongside the deities, the festival is humbling. One thing that bugs me a little is when people, in the name of playing deusi-vailo, forcefully demand funding, often resulting in petty clashes. Also, the firecrackers are major contributors to noise and environment pollution. 

Shrawan Mukarung-Poet

What are your plans for Tihar?

I love Tihar for different reasons. I love it for the moments you get to share with your brothers, sisters and family and for the lights that illuminate our hearts. We get to meet our siblings who’ve been away year-long during Tihar. It is a really humbling time. This Tihar, I plan to spend most of my time with my family. 

Any particularly memorable Tihar?

For me, the festival has always held a special place. The environment during Tihar is calm and full of colors. I cannot recollect one memorable Tihar as I celebrate all festivals with equal zeal. 

Best and worst things about the festival?

I like the traditional deusi-vailo programs. Only watching the deusi-vailo programs gives you a sense of cultural harmony. One thing I like the least about the festival is the way disturbances are created by firecrackers. 

Deeya Maskey-Actor

What are your plans for Tihar?

Tihar has always had a special place in my heart. Sadly, I won’t be able to celebrate the festival this year, so there are no plans ahead for the occasion. 

Any particularly memorable Tihar?

I wouldn’t be able to choose a particular Tihar out of all the years that I’ve celebrated it because every one of them has been memorable to me. 

Best and worst things about the festival?

The best thing about the festival is, obviously, lights. The one thing I’d say I like the least is firecrackers. Firecrackers are dangerous and create a lot of sound as well as environment pollution. 

Sadichha Shrestha-Miss Nepal 2010

What are your plans for Tihar?

I love Tihar so much for the positivity and harmony it invites. Though I don’t have any special plans, my parents have been primarily engaged with the preparations ahead of this exquisite festival. 

Any particularly memorable Tihar?

Tihar has always remained memorable to me but the most memorable one was when I was nine years old. My sister, four years younger than me, and I were anticipating a younger sibling, which to our delight, was a brother. The festival that year was delightful, possibly because I was so young and could enjoy along with my sister and a new family member. 

Best and worst things about the festival?

The most electrifying aspect about Tihar is definitely the overwhelming intensity of lights during the night. It’s like looking at the stars in the sky but with an amplified display. What gets me vexed the most is firecrackers: the louder ones that go on to disturb everyone that are nearby. I like firecrackers as well, but I like the ones that create sparks and are dazzling to the eyes during the night. The noisy ones are quite bothersome, unsafe and unhealthy.