This year’s Diwali (Tihar) festival begins today on the day of Kartik Sankranti. In the Mithila region of Madhesh Province including Mahottari, the six-day Diwali festival starts from Kartik Krishna Trayodashi and ends on Kartik Shukla Dwitiya. The first day of the festival is celebrated as Dhanteras.
In the local Maithili language, the festival is called Diwali and is also known as Yam Panchak. On the first day, people worship Goddess Lakshmi by purchasing new metal items and performing Dhanteras puja. Traditionally a five-day festival, this year Diwali will be celebrated for six days due to changes in the lunar calendar.
Trayodashi tithi begins today at 1:23 PM, so Dhanteras will be observed this evening, according to priests knowledgeable in Maithil rituals. Though the Dwadasi tithi lasts until early afternoon, the Trayodashi starting thereafter makes today auspicious for Dhanteras worship, which is performed during evening twilight.
In Mithila, religious observances and festival timings are determined based on Vidyaapati Panchang and Mithila Panchang. Although Dhanteras is celebrated today, Kag Puja (crow worship) will be observed tomorrow (Sunday). Similarly, Lakshmi Puja and Gai Puja (cow worship) will fall on different days this year due to variations in tithi. Normally, Kag Puja and Dhanteras fall on the same day, and Gai Puja and Lakshmi Puja on Amavasya. However, since Amavasya falls on Monday this year, Lakshmi Puja will be held on Monday.
Pandit Dinesh Kumar Jha from Bardibas-2 explains that this year the festival rituals are split over six days. Dhanteras is today, while Bhai Dooj (Bhai Tika) will be celebrated on Thursday. Because of these shifts, Yam Panchak is extended to six days this year.
In Mithila tradition, the night after the beginning of Trayodashi is considered Dhanteras. On this day, people buy new metal items and worship them as a symbol of prosperity. According to astrologers, this evening is auspicious for purchasing metal goods due to favorable lunar constellations. People will light oil lamps in their homes and worship Goddess Lakshmi along with newly purchased metal items.
Although Dhanteras is celebrated today, Dhanvantari Jayanti and Kak Puja will be celebrated tomorrow. Lakshmi Puja will be performed on Monday evening, while Gai Puja will be observed during daylight on Tuesday.
Older Maithil people say that the festival begins by pleasing Goddess Lakshmi through the purchase of new valuable items on Dhanteras. Shops selling copper, brass, bronze utensils, and gold and silver jewelry are decorated beautifully for the occasion. It is believed that items bought on Dhanteras bring good luck, prosperity, and long-lasting success.
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