Tihar Wishes in Nepali: Greetings for All Five Days

The standard Tihar wish in Nepali is तिहारको हार्दिक मंगलमय शुभकामना (Tihar ko hardik mangalmaya shubhakamana) — "heartfelt and auspicious wishes for Tihar". But Tihar is five separate days, and each one has its own greeting. A Kukur Tihar message sent on Bhai Tika day reads as oddly as a Bhai Tika message sent to someone with no siblings. Below are forty-five wishes organised day by day, plus the 2026 dates, the Deusi Bhailo refrains, captions for social posts, and the register rules that decide which one is right.

1. When Is Tihar 2026?

Tihar follows the lunar calendar, so the dates shift every year. In 2026 (2083 BS) the festival runs from Saturday 7 November to Wednesday 11 November, with Bhai Tika — the day everyone travels home for — falling on Wednesday 11 November 2026.

Day	Occasion	Date (2026)	Nepali Date
1	Kag Tihar (crows)	Saturday 7 November	Kartik 21
2	Kukur Tihar and Laxmi Puja*	Sunday 8 November	Kartik 22
3	Gai Tihar (cows)	Monday 9 November	Kartik 23
4	Goru Tihar / Govardhan Puja / Mha Puja	Tuesday 10 November	Kartik 24
5	Bhai Tika	Wednesday 11 November	Kartik 25

*In most years Laxmi Puja shares the third day with Gai Tihar. In 2026 the tithi alignment places it a day earlier, on 8 November, alongside Kukur Tihar. Check your patro against the official Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Samiti calendar before scheduling posts — and before sending a Laxmi Puja wish on the wrong evening.

Timing Tip

The auspicious time (sait) for Bhai Tika is announced by Nepal Panchang authorities closer to the festival. State officials observe it strictly; most families simply do the tika in the afternoon. Send your Bhai Tika message in the morning, before anyone sits down with the plate.

2. How to Say "Happy Tihar" in Nepali

Nepali does not translate "happy" as an adjective here. It uses a wish construction instead — literally "good wishes of Tihar" rather than "happy Tihar":

English	Nepali	Romanised	When to Use It
Happy Tihar	तिहारको शुभकामना	Tihar ko shubhakamana	Any of the five days
Happy Tihar (warmer)	तिहारको हार्दिक शुभकामना	Tihar ko hardik shubhakamana	Friends and family
Happy Tihar (fullest, most formal)	तिहारको हार्दिक मंगलमय शुभकामना	Tihar ko hardik mangalmaya shubhakamana	Printed cards and company notices
Happy Deepawali / Diwali	शुभ दीपावली	Shubha Deepawali	Laxmi Puja night only
Happy Bhai Tika	भाइटीकाको शुभकामना	Bhai Tika ko shubhakamana	Day 5 only

A Note on Spelling

You will see the word romanised as shubhakamana, subhakamana and suvakamana. All three are attempts at the same Nepali word, शुभकामना. The Devanagari spelling is the one that is correct — the romanisation is only a convention, and none of the variants is wrong in a text message.

3. Day 1 — Kag Tihar Wishes (1–3)

Crows are Yama's messengers. They are fed on the rooftop before anyone in the house eats. It is the quietest day of the five, and the greetings match that tone.

#	Nepali	Romanised	English
1	काग तिहारको शुभकामना! यमराजका दूत कागलाई खुवाएर प्रकाशको पर्व सुरु होस्।	Kag Tihar ko shubhakamana! Yamaraj ka doot kag lai khuwaera prakash ko parwa suru hos.	Happy Kag Tihar! May the festival of light begin with feeding the crow, Yama's messenger.
2	कागले ल्याउने खबर सधैं खुसीको होस्। शुभ काग तिहार!	Kag le lyaune khabar sadhain khusi ko hos. Shubha Kag Tihar!	May the news the crow brings always be good news. Happy Kag Tihar!
3	तिहारको पहिलो दिन — घरको छानोमा अन्न, मनमा शान्ति।	Tihar ko pahilo din — ghar ko chhano ma anna, man ma shanti.	The first day of Tihar — grain on the rooftop, peace in the heart.

4. Day 2 — Kukur Tihar and Laxmi Puja Wishes (4–11)

Two occasions on one day in 2026. Dogs in the morning, lamps at night.

Kukur Tihar (4–7)

#	Nepali	Romanised	English
4	कुकुर तिहारको शुभकामना! हाम्रा वफादार साथीहरूलाई माला, टीका र माया।	Kukur Tihar ko shubhakamana! Hamra waphadar sathi haru lai mala, tika ra maya.	Happy Kukur Tihar! Garlands, tika and love for our loyal friends.
5	जसले बिना सर्त माया गर्छ, आज उसैको पूजा। शुभ कुकुर तिहार!	Jasle bina sarta maya garchha, aaja usaiko puja. Shubha Kukur Tihar!	Today we worship the one who loves without conditions. Happy Kukur Tihar!
6	सडकका कुकुरलाई पनि एक गाँस — त्यही नै साँचो तिहार हो।	Sadak ka kukur lai pani ek gans — tyahi nai sancho Tihar ho.	A mouthful for the street dogs too — that is what Tihar really means.
7	वफादारीको पर्व — कुकुर तिहारको हार्दिक शुभकामना!	Waphadari ko parwa — Kukur Tihar ko hardik shubhakamana!	The festival of loyalty — heartfelt Kukur Tihar wishes!

Laxmi Puja (8–11)

#	Nepali	Romanised	English
8	लक्ष्मी पूजाको हार्दिक शुभकामना! तपाईंको घरमा धन, धान्य र सुखको वर्षा होस्।	Laxmi Puja ko hardik shubhakamana! Tapaaī ko ghar ma dhan, dhanya ra sukha ko warsha hos.	Heartfelt Laxmi Puja wishes! May wealth, grain and happiness rain down on your home.
9	दियोको उज्यालोले तपाईंको जीवनबाट सबै अन्धकार हटाओस्।	Diyo ko ujyalo le tapaaī ko jiwan bata sabai andhakar hataos.	May the light of the lamp drive every darkness from your life.
10	माता लक्ष्मी तपाईंको घरमा सधैं बास बसून्।	Mata Laxmi tapaaī ko ghar ma sadhain bas basun.	May Goddess Laxmi always dwell in your home.
11	शुभ दीपावली! रंगोली, दियो र मिठाइले भरियोस् यो रात।	Shubha Deepawali! Rangoli, diyo ra mithai le bhariyos yo raat.	Happy Deepawali! May this night be full of rangoli, lamps and sweets.

Want to write your own wishes, not just copy ours?

The gap between timi and tapaaī is the gap between a warm message and an awkward one. ECS teaches Nepali register and honorifics in the context of real conversation, with native instructors who will tell you when you have got it wrong.

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5. Day 3 — Gai Tihar Wishes (12–14)

The cow is honoured as a form of Laxmi. These wishes lean on gratitude rather than celebration.

#	Nepali	Romanised	English
12	गाई तिहारको शुभकामना! गाईमाताको आशीर्वाद सधैं तपाईंमाथि रहोस्।	Gai Tihar ko shubhakamana! Gai Mata ko ashirwad sadhain tapaaī mathi rahos.	Happy Gai Tihar! May the blessing of the mother cow always be upon you.
13	गाईलाई लक्ष्मीको रूप मानिन्छ — आजको दिन घरमा समृद्धि भित्रियोस्।	Gai lai Laxmi ko rup manincha — aaja ko din ghar ma samriddhi bhitriyos.	The cow is considered a form of Laxmi — may prosperity enter your home today.
14	शुभ गाई तिहार! दया, कृतज्ञता र न्यानोपनको दिन।	Shubha Gai Tihar! Daya, kritagyata ra nyanopan ko din.	Happy Gai Tihar! A day of kindness, gratitude and warmth.

6. Day 4 — Goru Tihar, Mha Puja and Nepal Sambat (15–19)

Oxen are honoured, the Newar community performs Mha Puja — worship of the self — and Nepal Sambat, the Newar new year, begins. To a Newar friend, mention Mha Puja rather than just Tihar.

#	Nepali	Romanised	English
15	गोरु तिहारको शुभकामना! मेहनतको सम्मान गर्ने दिन।	Goru Tihar ko shubhakamana! Mehanat ko samman garne din.	Happy Goru Tihar! A day for honouring hard work.
16	गोवर्धन पूजाको हार्दिक शुभकामना। प्रकृतिप्रतिको कृतज्ञता सधैं रहोस्।	Govardhan Puja ko hardik shubhakamana. Prakriti pratiko kritagyata sadhain rahos.	Heartfelt Govardhan Puja wishes. May gratitude towards nature always remain.
17	म्ह पूजाको शुभकामना! आफूलाई माया गर्न पनि सिकौँ।	Mha Puja ko shubhakamana! Aafu lai maya garna pani sikaun.	Happy Mha Puja! Let us also learn to love ourselves.
18	म्ह पूजाले तपाईंको शरीर, मन र आत्मामा नयाँ ऊर्जा भरोस्।	Mha Puja le tapaaī ko sharir, man ra aatma ma nayan urja bharos.	May Mha Puja fill your body, mind and soul with new energy.
19	नयाँ नेपाल सम्बतको हार्दिक शुभकामना! नयाँ वर्ष सुख र समृद्धिले भरियोस्।	Nayan Nepal Sambat ko hardik shubhakamana! Nayan warsha sukha ra samriddhi le bhariyos.	Heartfelt wishes for the new Nepal Sambat! May the new year be full of happiness and prosperity.

7. Day 5 — Bhai Tika Wishes and Quotes (20–29)

The most-sent messages of the whole festival. Sisters apply the seven-coloured tika, drape a makhamali garland and draw a circle of mustard oil for protection. Choose your wish according to which side of the tika plate you are standing on — the wording changes depending on whether you are giving or receiving.

From sister to brother (20–23)

#	Nepali	Romanised	English
20	भाइटीकाको शुभकामना! मेरो भाइ सधैं सुरक्षित, सफल र खुसी रहून्।	Bhai Tika ko shubhakamana! Mero bhai sadhain surakshit, saphal ra khusi rahun.	Happy Bhai Tika! May my brother always stay safe, successful and happy.
21	यमपञ्चकको यो टीकाले तिम्रो आयु लामो होस्।	Yamapanchak ko yo tika le timro aayu lamo hos.	May this Yamapanchak tika grant you a long life.
22	सप्तरंगी टीका र मखमलीको मालाले तिम्रो जीवन सधैं रंगीन रहोस्।	Saptarangi tika ra makhamali ko mala le timro jiwan sadhain rangin rahos.	May the seven-coloured tika and the makhamali garland keep your life forever colourful.
23	तेलको घेराले तिमीलाई हरेक दुःखबाट जोगाओस्।	Tel ko ghera le timi lai harek dukha bata jogaos.	May the circle of oil protect you from every sorrow.

From brother to sister (24–26)

#	Nepali	Romanised	English
24	दिदीबहिनीको माया नै जीवनको सबैभन्दा ठूलो रक्षाकवच हो। शुभ भाइटीका!	Didibahini ko maya nai jiwan ko sabaibhanda thulo rakshakawach ho. Shubha Bhai Tika!	A sister's love is the greatest armour in life. Happy Bhai Tika!
25	तिम्रो हातको टीका मेरो लागि संसारकै ठूलो आशीर्वाद हो।	Timro hat ko tika mero lagi sansar kai thulo ashirwad ho.	The tika from your hand is the greatest blessing in the world to me.
26	दिदी, तिम्रो जीवन सधैं खुसीले भरियोस्। भाइटीकाको हार्दिक शुभकामना!	Didi, timro jiwan sadhain khusi le bhariyos. Bhai Tika ko hardik shubhakamana!	Sister, may your life always be full of joy. Heartfelt Bhai Tika wishes!

In wish 26, replace दिदी (didi, elder sister) with बहिनी (bahini) for a younger sister.

When you cannot be together (27–29)

#	Nepali	Romanised	English
27	टाढा भए पनि टीका मनमै लाग्छ। शुभ भाइटीका!	Tadha bhaye pani tika man mai lagcha. Shubha Bhai Tika!	Even far apart, the tika still lands on the heart. Happy Bhai Tika!
28	रगतको नाता नभए पनि मायाको नाता उत्तिकै गहिरो हुन्छ। शुभ भाइटीका!	Ragat ko nata nabhaye pani maya ko nata uttikai gahiro huncha. Shubha Bhai Tika!	A bond of love runs just as deep as a bond of blood. Happy Bhai Tika!
29	यो भाइटीकामा भेट नभए पनि माया घट्दैन। अर्को वर्ष सँगै।	Yo Bhai Tika ma bhet nabhaye pani maya ghatdaina. Arko warsha sangai.	Not meeting this Bhai Tika does not lessen the love. Next year, together.

For Anyone Without Siblings

Wish 28 is the one to use. Tihar is a difficult festival for people with no brother or sister, and a message that assumes one can sting. It works equally for friends who are family.

8. Short Tihar Wishes (30–35)

Under 100 characters each. These work on any of the five days and fit a single SMS or Viber message.

#	Nepali	Romanised	English
30	तिहारको हार्दिक मंगलमय शुभकामना!	Tihar ko hardik mangalmaya shubhakamana!	Heartfelt and auspicious Tihar wishes!
31	शुभ दीपावली! तपाईंको जीवन दियो जस्तै उज्यालो रहोस्।	Shubha Deepawali! Tapaaī ko jiwan diyo jastai ujyalo rahos.	Happy Deepawali! May your life stay bright like a lamp.
32	यो तिहारले तपाईंको घरमा सुख, समृद्धि र शान्ति ल्याओस्।	Yo Tihar le tapaaī ko ghar ma sukha, samriddhi ra shanti lyaos.	May this Tihar bring happiness, prosperity and peace to your home.
33	अन्धकारमाथि उज्यालोको विजय — शुभ तिहार!	Andhakar mathi ujyalo ko vijaya — Shubha Tihar!	The victory of light over darkness — Happy Tihar!
34	सयौं दियो बलून्, हजारौं खुसी आऊन्। शुभ तिहार!	Sayaun diyo balun, hajaraun khusi aaun. Shubha Tihar!	May a hundred lamps burn and a thousand joys arrive. Happy Tihar!
35	तिहारको उज्यालो तपाईंको जीवनभरि रहोस्।	Tihar ko ujyalo tapaaī ko jiwan bhari rahos.	May the light of Tihar stay with you all your life.

9. Formal Wishes for Clients, Colleagues and Business (36–40)

Written in the plural-honorific register used in company notices, newspaper greetings and email signatures. Note the verb ending -गर्दछौं (-gardachhaun) — the institutional "we" rather than a personal "I".

#	Nepali	Romanised	English
36	यस दीपावलीको पावन अवसरमा तपाईं र तपाईंको परिवारमा सुख, शान्ति र समृद्धिको हार्दिक कामना गर्दछौं।	Yas Deepawali ko pawan awasar ma tapaaī ra tapaaī ko pariwar ma sukha, shanti ra samriddhi ko hardik kamana gardachhaun.	On this sacred occasion of Deepawali, we sincerely wish you and your family happiness, peace and prosperity.
37	हाम्रा सम्पूर्ण ग्राहक, सहकर्मी तथा शुभचिन्तकहरूमा तिहारको हार्दिक मंगलमय शुभकामना व्यक्त गर्दछौं।	Hamra sampurna grahak, sahakarmi tatha shubhachintak haru ma Tihar ko hardik mangalmaya shubhakamana vyakta gardachhaun.	We extend heartfelt and auspicious Tihar wishes to all our clients, colleagues and well-wishers.
38	लक्ष्मी पूजाको यस शुभ अवसरमा तपाईंको व्यवसायमा निरन्तर प्रगतिको कामना गर्दछौं।	Yas Laxmi Puja ko shubha awasar ma tapaaī ko vyawasaya ma nirantar pragati ko kamana gardachhaun.	On this auspicious occasion of Laxmi Puja, we wish your business continued progress.
39	तपाईंको साथ र विश्वासकै कारण हामी यहाँसम्म आइपुग्यौं। शुभ तिहार!	Tapaaī ko sath ra vishwas kai karan hami yahansamma aaipugyaun. Shubha Tihar!	It is your support and trust that brought us this far. Happy Tihar!
40	सम्पूर्ण नेपाली दाजुभाइ तथा दिदीबहिनीहरूमा तिहारको हार्दिक शुभकामना!	Sampurna Nepali dajubhai tatha didibahini haru ma Tihar ko hardik shubhakamana!	Heartfelt Tihar wishes to all Nepali brothers and sisters!

10. Wishes for Nepalis Living Abroad (41–45)

For the friend on a shift in Dubai, the student in Sydney, the family in Texas — the people for whom Tihar is a video call at an awkward hour.

#	Nepali	Romanised	English
41	घरबाट टाढा भए पनि तिहारको उज्यालो तपाईंसँगै रहोस्।	Ghar bata tadha bhaye pani Tihar ko ujyalo tapaaī sangai rahos.	Though you are far from home, may the light of Tihar stay with you.
42	जहाँ नेपाली छन्, त्यहीँ तिहार छ। शुभ दीपावली!	Jahan Nepali chhan, tyahin Tihar chha. Shubha Deepawali!	Wherever there are Nepalis, there is Tihar. Happy Deepawali!
43	भिडियो कलको टीका पनि उत्तिकै न्यानो हुन्छ। शुभ भाइटीका!	Video call ko tika pani uttikai nyano huncha. Shubha Bhai Tika!	A tika over a video call is just as warm. Happy Bhai Tika!
44	अर्को तिहारमा घरमै भेट होस् — दियो, सेलरोटी र सबै सँगै।	Arko Tihar ma ghar mai bhet hos — diyo, selroti ra sabai sangai.	May we meet at home next Tihar — the lamps, the selroti, and everyone together.
45	तिहारको यो पाँच दिनले तपाईंको जीवनमा पाँच गुणा खुसी ल्याओस्।	Tihar ko yo panch din le tapaaī ko jiwan ma panch guna khusi lyaos.	May these five days of Tihar bring fivefold happiness into your life.

11. Deusi Bhailo — What the Singers Say

Bhailo is sung by girls on Laxmi Puja night, Deusi by boys the following night. These are not messages to type — they are called out at the door. The leader sings the line, the group answers with the refrain.

भैलिनी आइन् आँगनमा — भैलो!
यो घरमा सधैं सुख होस् — देउसी रे!
हामी सबै मिलेर भनौं — देउसी रे!

Bhailini aaina aaganma — Bhailo!
Yo ghar ma sadhain sukha hos — Deusi re!
Hami sabai milera bhanaun — Deusi re!

Meaning: The bhailo singers have come to the courtyard. May this house always have happiness. Let us all say it together.

If a Group Comes to Your Door

The expected response is a plate of selroti, some fruit and a little cash. Turning singers away with nothing is considered poor form — if you have nothing prepared, a small note and a warm word will do.

12. Tihar Captions for Facebook, Instagram and TikTok

Shorter than wishes, and written to sit under a photo rather than be sent to a person. A caption describes; a wish addresses.

Nepali	Romanised	English
दियो, रंगोली र माया 🪔	Diyo, rangoli ra maya	Lamps, rangoli and love
उज्यालो नै उज्यालो ✨	Ujyalo nai ujyalo	Light everywhere
आज घर पूरा भयो 🏠	Aaja ghar pura bhayo	Today the house feels complete
मेरो रक्षाकवच ❤️	Mero rakshakawach	My armour — for a Bhai Tika photo
सेलरोटीको बास्ना	Selroti ko basna	The smell of selroti
तिहार मोड अन	Tihar mode on	Tihar mode on

13. Which Tihar Wish Should You Send?

If You Are Writing To…	Use	Register
Parents and elders	Wishes 12, 14, 32	तपाईं / हजुर — ask for blessing
Your brother	Wishes 20–23	तिमी — informal
Your sister	Wishes 24–26	तिमी — informal
A friend with a dog	Wishes 4–7	तिमी — light
Your boss or a client	Wishes 36–40	तपाईं, plural verb, no emoji
Family or friends abroad	Wishes 41–45	तपाईं / तिमी, depending on age
A Newar friend on day 4	Wishes 17–19	Mention Mha Puja, not just Tihar
A company-wide post	Wishes 37, 40	Plural, neutral, no religious assumption
Someone with no siblings	Wishes 28, 32	Avoid sibling-specific wording

14. Tihar Glossary — The Words Inside These Wishes

Almost every wish above recycles the same dozen nouns. Learn them and the messages stop being blocks of script and start being sentences you can take apart:

Nepali	Romanised	What It Means
शुभकामना	shubhakamana	Good wishes; the standard word for a festival greeting
दियो	diyo	Small oil lamp lit at doorways and windows
रंगोली	rangoli	Coloured floor pattern drawn at the entrance
सेलरोटी	selroti	Ring-shaped sweet rice bread, the food of Tihar
मखमली	makhamali	Globe amaranth; the garland worn at Bhai Tika
सप्तरंगी टीका	saptarangi tika	The seven-coloured tika applied on Bhai Tika
यमपञ्चक	Yamapanchak	“Yama's five days” — another name for Tihar
देउसी भैलो	Deusi Bhailo	The door-to-door song and dance of Tihar nights
म्ह पूजा	Mha Puja	Newar ritual of worshipping one's own body and self
नेपाल सम्बत	Nepal Sambat	The Newar calendar, whose new year begins on day 4
दीपावली	Deepawali	“Row of lamps”; the Sanskrit-derived name for Tihar

15. Tihar vs Diwali — What Is the Difference?

They overlap but are not identical, and the greetings are not fully interchangeable.

	Tihar (Nepal)	Diwali (India)
Length	5 days	Typically 5 days, differently divided
Peak day	Bhai Tika — the fifth day	Laxmi Puja night
Distinct rituals	Crows, dogs, cows, oxen and the self	Dhanteras, Naraka Chaturdashi, Govardhan
Sibling day	Bhai Tika, with the seven-coloured tika	Bhai Dooj, shorter and less elaborate
Greeting	तिहारको शुभकामना	दीपावली की शुभकामनाएँ

Both light lamps and both centre on Laxmi Puja. But Tihar's crow, dog, cow and Mha Puja days are distinct to Nepal, and Bhai Tika has no close equivalent in the Indian celebration.

16. Common Mistakes When Sending Tihar Wishes

Tihar has more ways to misfire than Dashain, because the greeting has to match the day as well as the person:

Mistake	Wrong	Correct	Why
Deepawali across all five days	Shubha Deepawali — sent on day 1	Tihar ko shubhakamana	Deepawali belongs to Laxmi Puja night
Bhai Tika wish from the wrong side	Sister sending wish 25	Sister sending wishes 20–23	Giving and receiving take different wording
Sibling wishes sent to everyone	Bhai Tika ko shubhakamana — to an only child	Wish 28 or 32	Not everyone has a brother or sister
Informal pronoun with an elder	Timi lai Tihar ko shubhakamana	Tapaaī lai Tihar ko shubhakamana	Elders always take the high register
Personal “I” in a company notice	Ma kamana gardachhu	Hami kamana gardachhaun	Institutional greetings use the plural

Encouragement

None of these mistakes will offend a Nepali friend who knows you are learning. The effort of sending anything in Nepali at all is noticed far more than the register you picked — and if you get it wrong, you will be corrected warmly and then handed selroti.

Summary: 10 Rules for Sending Tihar Wishes

Tihar 2026 runs 7–11 November — Bhai Tika is Wednesday 11 November.

Laxmi Puja falls on day two this year — Unusually, it shares 8 November with Kukur Tihar.

One phrase covers all five days — Tihar ko shubhakamana never lands wrong.

Deepawali is for Laxmi Puja night only — Not a general Tihar greeting.

Bhai Tika wording depends on direction — Sisters give the tika; brothers receive it.

Not everyone has siblings — Wish 28 covers chosen family.

Day 4 means Mha Puja for Newar friends — Nepal Sambat new year, not just oxen.

Default to tapaaī — Informal timi is for siblings and close friends.

Business greetings use the plural — -gardachhaun, not -gardachhu. No emoji.

Send Devanagari, not romanised — It reads faster and looks better in a post.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tihar Wishes

How do you say “Happy Tihar” in Nepali?

Say तिहारको शुभकामना (Tihar ko shubhakamana). For a warmer version, add hardik: तिहारको हार्दिक शुभकामना. The fullest formal version, used on printed cards and in company notices, is तिहारको हार्दिक मंगलमय शुभकामना.

When is Tihar 2026?

Tihar 2026 runs from Saturday 7 November to Wednesday 11 November 2026, or Kartik 21 to Kartik 25, 2083 BS. It begins with Kag Tihar and ends with Bhai Tika on Wednesday 11 November.

When is Bhai Tika in 2026?

Bhai Tika falls on Wednesday 11 November 2026 (Kartik 25, 2083 BS). The auspicious time is announced by Nepal Panchang authorities shortly before the festival; most families perform the tika in the afternoon rather than at the exact hour.

Why do Laxmi Puja and Kukur Tihar fall on the same day in 2026?

In most years Laxmi Puja shares day three with Gai Tihar. In 2026 the lunar tithi alignment moves the Amavasya new moon a day earlier, so Laxmi Puja is observed on 8 November alongside Kukur Tihar, and Gai Tihar is observed separately on 9 November.

Is Tihar the same as Diwali?

They overlap but are not identical. Both light lamps and both centre on Laxmi Puja. Tihar, however, is five days with distinct subjects — crows, dogs, cows, oxen and the self, and finally siblings — and Bhai Tika has no direct equivalent in the Indian celebration.

What do you say during Deusi Bhailo?

The singers call out a line and the group answers with the refrain: “Bhailo!” on Laxmi Puja night and “Deusi re!” the night after. The songs bless the household and ask for a gift in return — traditionally selroti, fruit and cash.

What do you reply when someone wishes you Happy Tihar?

Reply तपाईंलाई पनि तिहारको शुभकामना! (Tapaaī lai pani Tihar ko shubhakamana) — “Happy Tihar to you too.” To an elder, add हजुरको आशीर्वाद पाऊँ (Hajur ko ashirwad paun) — “may I have your blessing.”

Can I send Tihar wishes to a non-Hindu Nepali friend?

Yes. Tihar is a national holiday and a neighbourhood festival as much as a religious one. Choose a neutral message — wishes 30, 32, 33, 34 or 35 — rather than one that invokes Laxmi directly.

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