Dhanawantari Jayanti/Kag Tihar

Who is Dhanawantari?
Today is the birth anniversary of Dhanwantari, the physician of the gods or say the Lord of Ayurveda. We all have heard about Ayurvedic medicines. The Ayurvedic system of medicine is the oldest system of medicine in the world. Ayurveda is the unique gift of God Dhanwantari to humanity.

Samundra Manthan and Lord Dhanawantari
There is a religious tradition that on today's day i.e. Trayodashi of Kartik Krishna Paksha, Lord Dhanawantari appeared with conch, chakra and herbs while churning the ocean. Ayurveda is made up of two words "Ayu and Veda". Ayurveda means 'knowledge of life'. Everyone associated with Ayurvedic medicine celebrates this day with special significance.

Kaag Tihar

Another great and important festival celebrated by the followers of Vedic Sanatan Hindu religion is Tihar or Yamapanchak. The first important day of this festival is called Kaag Tihar, this day commences the five days of celebration.

The five-day Tihar festival celebrated from Kartik Krishna Triodashi to Kartik Shulka Dwitiya, begins with Kaag Tihar. Kaag Tihar falls on the day of Kartik Krishna Triodashi. Kaag means crow, in the Crow Festival, the crow is worshiped as the messenger of Yamaraj, also known as a god of death. On the day of the crow festival, it is customary to worship the crow with respect and give food. Nepali society perceives crow as a message-carrying creature, isn't it?

According to the scriptures, Yamaraj, the lord of hell and death, records the births and deaths of all living beings on earth, including humans. It is believed that the crow brings and take such details. Yamaraj had appointed Crow as his envoy as he would bring a quick message from the sky. But in the Crow Festival, the crow is worshiped forgetting all these negative beliefs.

In Kaag tihar, crows are called to the yard and given home-made food. Today, Dhanawantari Day is also celebrated in the memory of Dhanawantari sage, the pioneer of Ayurveda, who originated the moment of Samundra Manthan on the day of Kaag tihar. There is another religious belief that donating Yamadip today will free from Yamaraj's torture. There is a religious ritual to face south when donating Yamadip.

Story of Tihar
Yama, the god of death, had not seen his sister Yamuna for a long time. Yamuna was very eager to meet her brother and invited him to visit her through various means. There is a story that she met a crow and a dog, a cow, and finally her brother Yama. After meeting her brother, she worshiped him with Tika and flowers and put a colorful Tika on his forehead.

She draws a line around her brother with mustard oil and put a garland of velvet flowers and dubo on it. In the same order, on the fifth day of Yamapanchaka, the festival ends.

On the other hand, now the enthusiastic people in the village have started preparing for the festival of Deunsi or Bhailo, where to play, who to play and what songs or dances to perform,etc. Good luck to all. Bring good news, best wishes.

Suyog Dhakal