Tihar, also known as Deepawali, is an incredibly auspicious festival for Nepalese people in Reading. It is celebrated across the span of 5 days and is dedicated to Gods and ancestors as well as animals that are worshipped in Nepali culture. Tihar frequently falls in October or November depending on the lunar calendar, and happened to be on Halloween this year!
The third day of Tihar is known as Gai Tihar and Laxmi Puja (Cow worship and The Goddess of Wealth), in which Nepalese families decorate their homes with lights, illuminating the streets of Reading, and drawing out flowers in rangoli (coloured dust) to welcome the Goddess Laxmi into their homes and bless them. On this day, a traditional song and dance called Bhailo is performed by groups of young girls in the evening.
This integral part of the celebration consists of a dance and ritual in which the girls bless the household with prosperity and happiness and the family within the household offers them fruits, sweets, and money in return for their blessings. Bhailo offers a space for young Nepali girls in the Reading community to connect with other families as well as their culture back home, allowing the Greater Reading Nepalese Community to nurture the community and uphold their beautiful traditions.
On the fourth night of Tihar, known as Govardhan Puja and Mha Puja, a performance called Deusi ensues, fairly similar to Bhailo but generally performed by boys or a mixed-gender group. The performance includes a range of verses from blessings intertwined with playful banter such as “How much money can you spare? 10? 20? 50?.” The group consists of a leader, often playing a drum-like instrument called Madal, who sings the main verses while the rest of the group chat “Deusi re!” between the lines. They are met with gifts, sweets, and money in return for their performance and blessings.
The song and dance in Bhailo and Deusi are often improvised and lighthearted, reflecting a tight knit sense of community in Reading. Often, many neighbours and friends come together during this time to celebrate the festivities. So, be sure to wish everyone not only a Happy Diwali, Happy Halloween, but also a Happy Tihar!
