Gai Tihar, a reverent celebration of cows, is enchanting the nation today on the third day of the joyous Tihar festival.
Hindus across Nepal participate in this age-old tradition, adorning cows with garlands and offering them a feast of delicacies.
The significance lies in the belief that cows, revered as mothers, bestow love akin to a mother’s affection.
Gai Tihar, locally known as the day of cow worship, traces its roots back to ancient Vedic times, where cows were honored for providing nutritious milk.
Modern science affirms their importance, as the energy derived from the local breed of cows, sourced from the sun and moon, fortifies human strength through milk.
In certain regions and communities, there’s a unique tradition of cow worship on Kartik Krishna Aunsi, while classical beliefs dictate that cows should be venerated at the transition from Aunsi to Pratipada, according to Prof Dr Ram Chandra Gautam, a member of the Nepal Calendar Determination Committee.
Adding a spiritual dimension, it’s believed that tying the Rakshabandhan on the right hand to the cow’s tail post-worship could assist in navigating the river Vaitarani on the journey to heaven after death.
Gai Tihar brings communities together in a display of cultural richness and spiritual devotion, marking a vibrant chapter in Nepal’s Tihar celebrations.