Kathmandu, Nov 7: Tihar, also known as Yamapanchak, begins each year with Kaag Tihar, the first day of the five-day festival. Tihar is observed for five days, beginning on the 13th day of the waning moon in the month of Kartik and ending on the second day of the waxing moon.
As the Trayodashi tithi coincides with Sunday’s sunrise, Kaag Tihar is being observed today in accordance with Hindu scriptures.
On this day, crows are worshipped and offered food as a mark of respect. In Nepali society, the crow’s call is traditionally regarded as a sign that a message or a visitor is on the way. This belief remains prevalent.
According to Vedic Sanatan Hindu tradition, crows are worshipped as messengers of Yamaraj, the god of death. A popular belief holds that crows favour curd and rice, and offering them the food will ensure they carry a favourable message to Yamaraj. Religious tradition also holds that eating before offering food to crows brings a share of sin.
Devotees offer food to crows with prayers asking them to accept the offering and protect people from troubles associated with Yama’s punishment.
Worshipping crows carries significance beyond religious rituals. It also serves as a reminder of the relationship between humans and animals, encouraging gratitude towards birds, respect for nature and coexistence with other living beings.
A traditional prayer offered to crows recognises them as messengers of Yamaraj and associates them with the power of the wind and movement. Devotees offer food and other gifts while asking the birds to protect them from the dangers of death.
According to Hindu scriptures, Yamaraj keeps records of the births and deaths of all living beings on Earth. Crows are believed to carry these records and messages to and from him. Folklore holds that Yamaraj appointed crows as his messengers because of their ability to travel quickly through the sky.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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