The Nepal Panchang Decision Development Committee has announced the auspicious time (shubh saait) for this year’s Bhai Tika, a major ritual during the Tihar (Deepawali) festival.
According to Committee Chairperson Prof. Shambhu Prasad Dhakal, the most auspicious time for applying Bhai Tika in 2082 BS (2025 AD) is:
🔔 Bhai Tika Saait:
🗓️ Kartik 6, Thursday (October 23, 2025)
🕚 11:39 AM
Committee member Prof. Devmani Bhattarai stated that the saait is based on favorable astrological elements such as Sagittarius Lagna, Virgo Navamsha, Char Bela, Abhijit Yoga, and Vijaya Muhurat. While this is the ideal saait for those who seek an astrologically aligned time, general public can perform Bhai Tika anytime during the mid-day period.
🪔 Complete Yama Panchak (Tihar) 2082 Schedule:
🗓️ Kartik 1 – Saturday, October 18, 2025
- Start of Yama Panchak
- Dhanteras / Dhan Trayodashi
- Yamadeep Daan begins (lighting oil lamps in honor of Yama, god of death)
🗓️ Kartik 2 – Sunday, October 19, 2025
- Kaag Tihar (Worship of crows)
- Dhanvantari Jayanti (Birth anniversary of the god of Ayurveda)
🗓️ Kartik 3 – Monday, October 20, 2025
- Narak Chaturdashi (early morning purification bath)
- Kukur Tihar (Worship of dogs)
- Lakshmi Puja in the evening
- Deepmala / Dipawali (illumination with oil lamps)
🔸 Note: As per scriptures, *Lakshmi Puja must be performed during the evening when the Amavasya Tithi falls.
🗓️ Kartik 4 – Tuesday, October 21, 2025
- Morning: Ritual bathing and donations related to Amavasya Tithi
- Tithi ends at 4:29 PM
🗓️ Kartik 5 – Wednesday, October 22, 2025
- Gai Puja (Cow worship)
- Goru Puja (Oxen worship)
- Mha Puja (Self-worship) – special to the Newar community
- Nepal Sambat New Year 1146 begins
▸ As per the “Krittya Vatika” text, Mha Puja is to be done in the evening of Kartik Shukla Pratipada.
🗓️ Kartik 6 – Thursday, October 23, 2025
- Bhai Tika / Bhai Puja / Kija Puja
▸ Ideal Time: 11:39 AM (Sagittarius Lagna, Abhijit Muhurat)
▸ Bhai Tika celebrates sibling love, and although popularly referred to as “Bhai Tika”, the ritual includes both younger and elder brothers, according to scriptural references to “Bhratri Puja”.
📝 The Tithi (Dwitiya) ends on Mangsir 2 (Friday, November 15) at 7:04 AM – hence, Bhai Tika must be done within Kartik 6 for scriptural accuracy.
✨ Highlights of Tihar 2082:
- 5-day celebration from Kartik 1 to Kartik 6
- Yamadeep Daan is performed each evening to honor the god of death and seek protection for the family
- New Year (Nepal Sambat 1146) is celebrated on Kartik 5
- Bhai Tika’s ideal moment is during mid-day on Kartik 6
Spiritual Significance:
Tihar is not just a festival of lights, but a deep cultural and spiritual observance involving reverence to nature (animals), self-purification, familial bonds, and remembrance of divine forces such as Yama. The belief is that offering Yama Deep and worshipping Kaag, Kukur, Gai, and Goru ensures a peaceful afterlife and harmonious present life.
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