Bhai TIka/Kija Pooja | भाइटीका/किजा पूजा | 2081 Kartik 18 | Hamro Patro

Bhai Tika/ Kija Pooja

Bhai Tika is a specific festival that exclusively acknowledges and showcases the love between brother and sister.A brother, far from the city of sister, comes to sister's place today and they rejoice sisterhood and brotherhood.

Today, it is customary for sisters to worship their brothers, including saptarangi tikas, ever fresh-looking Makhamali garlands, selrotis, anarsa, chocolate, cashews, raisins, coconut, sweets, spices, and other foods. Brother gifts back to sister, this is a divine festival. Bhai means brother and Tika join together to make Bhai Tika.

Anecdote of Yamaraj on Bhaitika
It is believed that even the Yamaraj, the god of death once returned without occurring death to a man. This happened because the perspective's sister prayed to Yama for the long life of her brother.

Yamaraj also comes to the earth and meets his sister today, as mentioned in quotes and scriptures.
Kija Pooja
"Swanti" is the term used to denote five Yamapanchak days in Nepal Bhasa or Newa language. Highlighting the lead of females in household and showcasing the love for the entire ecosystem, these days advocate for the wellbeing of crow, dog, Laxmi, cow, and brothers/ sisters.

The Newa community, rich in various traditions, festivals, civilizations, and cultures, has been celebrating Kaag Tihar and Kukur Tihar, they have been celebrating Lakshmi Puja, Mha Puja, and Kija Puja. It is also called Swanti Nakha because it has been celebrated continuously for three days. In the Newa language, Swanhu means three days, and Nakh means the festival of the moon.

In the agrarian Newa community, the three-day festival is seen as a celebration of bringing in paddy from the fields and completing the year-round reckoning, as well as worshiping one's body and receiving the nutrients needed to move forward while struggling for the new year.