Tihar celebration

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As we promised last time, we will tell you more about Tihar, the festival that took place from 4th to 7th of november. On fifth, there was Laxmi-puja. Everybody burns lots of oil-candles (and nowadays also more and more colorful electric lights, like we use in Christmas-time) around the house. This happens when sun is going down so it creates a very nice atmosphere in the city. In the same time, girls are dressed up and go dancing and singing in front of shops, so they will receive some money and sweets. We also made a nice colorful flower in front of the house, and a line going inside the house. This because Laxmi (the goddess) can find the way to our moneybag (people believe that she will come either to take money, or to bring money, but we didn't see any difference in our moneybag ;-) ).
On sixth, there was "body day", people are worshiping each other to have a healthy body. Before diner, we had to make colorful figures in the floor. One for each family member, whether they were there or not (two of Gyanendra's brothers are living abroad). Lots of fruits were added and puja (worshiping) was going on. After that, we had a nice diner.
On seventh, it was "brothers day". Somehow the same things as the day before were happening, but is time it were the sisters who had to worship their brothers. So puja was specially done by the sisters to their brothers. Flowers are an important part of the puja, so it's a very colorful happening!
Gyanendra's brothers could follow the celebrations through a live webcam-connection, nice to have them with us!

One of these days, there was also the celebration of Newari-New Year. People are driving around on their motorbikes, cars,... They are making music, dancing,...

Since this festivities, we went to Kerala (India) for our honeymoon. We had a great time there, but we will write about it later on.
Now we are back in Bhaktapur, to enjoy the last days of our trip at home. On friday we will fly back.

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Comments

[Mama]

the end... almost
Bijna einde van het verhaal... Nog een mooie laatste dag daar en heel veel warme groeten aan de familie! Goeie vlucht naar huis, na een mooie afscheids-puja! Liefs, Mama

[Gert]

woehoe
Juw, 't is daar nog volop vakantie precies, zalig, geniet er maar van! Wij zijn al helemaal terug in het werk- en verbouwritme tot onze gigantische spijt. We missen Nepal! Katrien ook, nu ze terug genezen is!! Veel plezier! Sarah, gedraag u! Gert x

[Bianca]

Welkom Thuis
Hey luitjes, Ik weet niet precies wanneer jullie weer thuis komen maar het zal vast niet lang meer duren. Als jullie het te stil vinden thuis (geen grote groepen mensen meer om je heen zoals in Nepal) dan bel je ons maar dan komen we de boel wel verlevendigen!!!!! groetjes, Bart en Bianca