Tihar is Nepal's festival of lights. Homes are decorated with marigold garlands and rows of oil lamps, and the goddess of wealth, Laxmi, is welcomed with painted footprints and rangoli patterns at the door.
Each of the five days honours someone different: crows, then dogs — which receive garlands and tika — then cows and Laxmi, then the Newar New Year with Mha Puja, the worship of one's own body. The final day, Bhai Tika, celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters.
In the evenings, groups go door to door singing deusi and bhailo songs. It is one of the most beautiful times to be in Nepal.
