Kaag Tihar
HinduBuddhist
Dates
| 2083 BS | 7 Nov 2026 (21 Kartik 2083 BS) · Tomorrow | Reported by Wikipedia source |
| 2084 BS | Date to be announced | Date to be announced |
Kaag Tihar (Nepali: काग तिहार) is an annual Hindu festival originating from Nepal. It is celebrated on the first day of the five-day Tihar festival, it is dedicated to worship and honoring of crows and ravens. The day is observed as a public holiday in Nepal.
The festival follows the Nepal's national Bikram Sambat calendar and takes place during the lunar month of Kartik (typically falling between October or mid-November in the Georgian calendar). It falls on the first day of the five-day Tihar festival.
Observed by: Nepal, and regions with large Nepalese populations
Origin
In Hinduism, crows and ravens are considered messengers of Yama, the god of death and justice. They are believed to carry messages from Yama and are therefore worshipped during Kaag Tihar in Nepal. According to traditional Nepalese beliefs, the calls and flight directions of crows are associated with future events. This practice is known as Shagun Shastra (science of omen), which involves predicting outcomes from bird calls and flight patterns. When a crow or raven perches near a home and caws, people traditionally chant "Bol, bol, subha bol" ("Speak, speak, speak good omens"), hoping it will bring good news. Traditional beliefs interpret the direction of a crow's flight as follows:
East: Progress, growth, and prosperity. North: Achievement, success, and good fortune. West: Loss, obstacles, or setbacks. South: Sorrow, mourning, or misfortune. Devotees worship and feed crows to appease Yama, believing the ritual protects their families from death, sorrow, and misfortune in the coming year.
Cultural Practices
During Tihar, cities and homes across Nepal are lit with colorful lamps and decorative lights. People celebrate by performing Deusi and Bhailo, traditional folk carols performed by groups while visiting homes in their neighborhoods. Playing card games, dice, and other traditional games is common during Tihar. These games are traditionally enjoyed as part of the festivities, although excessive gambling is a concern due to financial risks involved. Gambling is prohibited by law in Nepal, including during the festival. Public authorities also discourage the use of firecrackers to prevent accidents, injuries, property fires, and distress to animals caused by loud noises.
