Kathmandu, November 16
The last day of the five-day Tihar festival, Bhaitika, is being observed across the country on Monday.
This day is considered the most important part of the annual festival, which is considered the second biggest cultural event for Nepalis every year.
Today, on the occasion, siblings gather at one place and exchange seven-colour tika between brothers and sisters wishing them for longevity, happiness and prosperity. The siblings also exchange various delicacies including selroti, fruits and dry fruits and gifts on the occasion.
Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Samiti, the government body responsible for finalising festival dates as per astrological calculations, says the most auspicious time to receive Bhaitika today is 11:37 am.
Meanwhile, state officials such as President Bidya Devi Bhandari, Vice-President Nanda Bahadur Pun, and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli have extended their Bhaitika greetings. In this wishes, the officials have also reminded people of the coronavirus infection fears, urging them to maintain needful safety measures while following the rituals.
As in Dashain, the Covid-19 pandemic is certain to have an impact on the celebrations this year.
