Essay on Tihar
or Dipawali is often asked in various levels of exams in Nepal. The
following essay on "Dipawali" is a sample essay for school and
college students. We will be uploading different versions of the essay over
time.
Brainstorming for the essay Tihar
|
Information |
Importance |
Plus points |
Minus points |
|
Tihar- what is it? |
When? |
Why ? |
How? |
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When did it start? |
Reason for celebration. |
How do we celebrate it ? |
What's its importance? |
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Positive aspects: social unity |
Negative aspects: patakas (fireworks) |
What does it tell us? |
conclusion |
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Sample 1]: Essay on Tihar or Dipawali (383 words)
Tihar, or
Dipawali, is the colourful festival of lights. It is the second greatest
festival in Nepal after Dashain. The celebration takes place for five days in
late October or early November. It is held in honour of Lord Ram's return to
Ayodhya after a long exile of 14 years. It is also a seasonal festival because
they are usually free after harvesting paddy.
The festival
honours certain animals on successive days. It starts with offerings of bhat
(rice) to the crows, which are thought to be sent by Yama, the God of Death.
The crow is regarded as the messenger of death. On the second day, dogs are
honoured or worshipped with garlands of flowers and tikas. The street and stray
dogs, which are often kicked, are honoured on this day, hoping that the dog
will lead the departed soul after death to cross the "River of Dead or
Death". The dog is also taken as the vehicle of Loard Bhairab. On day 3,
cows are worshipped by painting one horn yellow and the other gold. In the
evening, Dipawali is observed by lighting palas, lamps, candles, and bulbs
everywhere to make the goddess Laxmi happy.
It is
believed that Laxmi comes to visit every house in the evening. Similarly, on
the 4th day, bullocks are honoured. Their dung is also worshipped. Day 5 is
known as Bhai Tika. On this day, brothers and sisters meet to place tika on
each other's foreheads. Sisters offer small gifts of fruits and sweets to their
brothers, while the brothers give money or gifts to their sisters in return.
This brother-sister relationship is believed to have taken place since Yamuna
brought her brother back from the God of Death-Yama.
On the other
hand, there are some drawbacks to the festival, too. Children and young guys
play with fireworks or patakas. It not only causes fire and noise pollution but
also makes people frightened. They waste millions of rupees in a short period.
Likewise, gambling also ruins people's status and property.
To sum up,
since the festival reflects the cultural life of the nation, it is significant
in many ways. It is our responsibility to celebrate it so that it lasts for
hundreds of years to come and makes brother-sister relations as firm as a
himal.