Tihar

Tihar is one of the most significant festivals in the Indian sate of Sikkim held in the month of Kartik. It is celebrated by the Hindu population of the state. The festival of Tihar in Sikkim is the counterpart of the Diwali festival, which is associated with light. This festival is also known as Kali Puja in India. During this festival, all the roads and houses are illuminated with candles and diyas and hence it is also termed the 'festival of lights'.

Tihar at Sikkim is held to rejoice the coming back of Rama along with his wife Sita and brother Laxmana post their exile spanning for a period of 14 years. According to the myths associated with the religion of Hinduism, the people of the kingdom of Ayodhya were very happy with the return of Rama and to celebrate this grand event, they illuminated the place with lamps. Sita, Rama's wife, is believed to be a different form of Goddess Laxmi. To commemorate the return of Sita, Goddess Laxmi is worshiped on the occasion of Tihar. Goddess laxmi is worshiped with the hope that she will bestow a lot of wealth and prosperity on the people of Sikkim.

According to popular belief, every nook and corner of a place is decorated with light on the day of Tihar at Sikkim so that the place becomes free from all the evil powers.

Tihar of Sikkim is celebrated in two parts - the Kak-Tihar and the Kukkor- Tihar. On the first day, grains are spread for the crows. On the second day, dogs are garlanded. On the third day, cows are garlanded; on the fourth day, the bullocks are similarly adorned. Sisters give tikas to their brothers on the fifth day to save them from any kind of danger.