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“Tihar Days”  (Story)

This is the time of the year when I yearn for life to go back to what it used to be. My aji, my ma (mother,) dad and Raj are still around; we are all young; surrounded by loved ones; everything is right with the world.  I am homesick. 

We are in the midst of the Tihar festival.  It started on Sunday Oct. 26.

In India the festival of lights is called Deepavali or Diwali.  In Nepal it is known as Tihar, with its own unique traditions and significance in defining relations of humans with God’s creatures. The crow is revered as the messenger, the dog for its faithfulness, cow for motherly treatment and ox as domestic help.

"Dan with Tinku, neighbor's dog" K'du 1981

“…the time of the singing of birds is come…..”(Song of Solomon 2:12) 
The first day of Tihar is the Kag Puja.  Crows, considered to be messenger of Yama, the Lord of Death, are honored.  In the early morning hours, before anyone in the home partakes of food, the crows are offered food. Where there are no crows, any winged creatures of the heavens will enjoy the feast.

“Every dog hath his day….” (John Ray's 'A collection of English Proverbs')  The second day is called 'Kukur tihar' - dog’s day.  Man's best friend; guardian of earthly homes and the gates of hell is celebrated with marigold garlands, red Tika on the forehead, and fed special dishes.
                                    

"Ayurvedic Doc's wife" K'du 2007

“Glory to you, O Mother, glory to you, mother Lakshmi……… As Durga, you grant both happiness and prosperity; and he who centers his attention on you becomes a recipient of all riddhis and siddhis-Prosperity and Accomplishment…..(from Laxmi Aarti/prayer)
The third day is 'Laxmi puja'.  It is believed that Lakshmi bestows wealth on the hardworking and those who keep their homes clean.  We used to lay Laxmi Devi’s “footprints” in vermillion from the main entrance of the house to my aji’s puja room (worship /prayer room) where all the valuables were stored.  Homes are decorated with oil lamps and pujas are performed to Laxmi. At dusk, young girls (occasionally little boys as well,) visit homes and sing “Bhailo;” giving blessings to the family in return for money or homemade treats.  Purely a Nepali practice.  They are offered money and gifts. The cow, vehicle of Laxmi, symbol of purity, motherhood ahimsa (non violence) is also revered.

 

"Children singing Bhailo"  Kathmandu 1981

"We must be our own before we can be another's.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
On the fourth day our Newar community performs ‘Mha puja' (self worship;) purification, strengthening and understanding of oneself.  We believe that everyone needs to understand and respect oneself before one can understand others and respect one’s role in the world.  This is performed solely by the Newar community.  
Young men visit homes and sing “Deusirey;”
asking for alms and giving blessings.  
Another purely Nepali practice.                            

"Children singing Bhailo"  Kathmandu 1981

On this day the bulls and oxen that plough the fields are given thanks.  They are garlanded and fed delicacies. Those who follow lord Krishna perform 'Gobhardan puja'.  They celebrate the commemoration of Krishna lifting Mt. Gobhardan to save the inhabitants from incessant rains. It symbolizes the importance of nature in our lives.  
    “Being pretty on the inside means you don't hit your brother and you eat all your peas - that's what my grandma taught me.” (Lord Chesterfield)  The fifth and last day of tihar is 'Bhai tika', putting tika on brothers by sisters.  One can put tika and give blessings to anyone one considers a brother. The main theme behind bhai tika is the sisters praying for their brother's long life from Yama Raj, god of the underworld.

"Gita putting tika on nephew Sid" In the background - Sid's little boy, Ari Kathmandu, 2007

"Gita draws a boundary (mandap/the circle of protection) around her nephew Sumiran." Kathmandu, 2006

May your home be filled with happiness during Tihar and through the year.

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“Tihar Days”  (Recipes) 

Throughout the five day festival delicious meals are served.

Easy Curried chicken and vegetable (slow cooker version) (6 servings)

Ingredients:

Cooking spray
12 to 15 baby carrots
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 ½ teaspoon garam masala
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 14 1/2 ounce can diced tomatoes undrained
1 cup frozen peas

Directions:

1. Spray a 4 to 5 quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Place carrots and onions in the slow cooker
2. Combine garlic, garam masala ginger and urmetic
3. Stir the mixture in the chicken
4. Place the chicken on top of the carrots
5. Pour undrained tomatoes over the chicken
6. Cover and cook on high heat setting for ½ and hour
7. Turn the heat to low and k for an additional 4
8. Add the frozen peas.
9. Turn heat to high again for 12 an hour.

Sel Roti (Crispy Rice Doughnuts)

Ingredients:

2 cups long grain rice
1 ripe banana, mashed
1½ cup sugar
2 tablespoon ghee or melted butter
1/8 teaspoon baking powder
vegetable oil for deep frying

Directions:

1. Wash rice well.
2. Soak it overnight
3. Drain excess water and grind to a smooth paste. (add some water if necessary)
4. In a bowl, add ghee, banana, baking powder, rice flour and sugar and mix well
5. Heat oil for deep-frying.
6. Pour batter into oil into a doughnuts shape.
7. Fry both side by turning. Fry until both sides are crispy and golden brown.
8. Drain excess oil.

Serve hot or cold.

Note: Sel Rotis are cooked in bulk and can be stored in room temperature for a month. Sel rotis are often sent as gifts to family members living away from home.

Aloo Ko Achar (Savory Potato)

Ingredients:

1 pounds Potatoes; small new potatoes are the best
4 Jalapeno peppers; Seeded & sliced into long strips (optional)
Juice of one lemon
Salt to taste
¼ cup Sesame seeds; roasted, ground. Optional
1 teaspoon Turmeric powder
1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
2 Chilies, whole, dried. (or to taste)
3 teaspoons mustard oil (corn oil can be substituted)
Water
½ cup Coriander, fresh; chopped

Directions:

1. Boil potatoes in jackets
2. Peel & cube
3. In a medium bowl, combine potatoes, turmeric, salt, ground sesame seeds, lime juice, half of the green coriander and water
4. Mix thoroughly.
5. In a small pan heat mustard oil until hot
6. Add cumin seeds and red chilies.
7. Fry until brown
8. Add jalapeño pepper.
9. Fry for a minute
10. Pour it over potatoes in the bowl and mix thoroughly;
11. Garnish with remaining green coriander leaves.

Til Ko Laddoo (sesame Seed candy) Recipe (10 Laddoo’s)

Ingredients:

4 cups sesame seeds
1/2 cup water
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 cup coconut
1 teaspoon ghee or oil

Directions:

1. Dry roast the sesame seeds until light brown in color.
2. Prepare syrup by boiling water and brown sugar on low heat.
3. Add coconut pieces and simmer until syrup thickens
4. Turn the heat off.
5. Add sesame seeds and mix well.
6. Allow the mixture to cool slightly.
7. Apply ghee or oil on your hands and shape into balls quickly.

Malpua (Serves 4 or 5)

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar
1-1/2 cups wheat flour
4 Tablespoons yogurt (not non-fat)
10-15 whole peppercorns
Milk
Oil for frying

Directions:

1. Mix sugar and flour with yogurt and water and make a batter of pouring consistency, similar to pancake
2. Add the 10 peppercorns.
3. Set aside for approx. two hours.
4. Heat oil on a medium flame.
5. Drop large ladlefuls into the oil.
6. Fry till golden.
7. Drain and pat off the oil.
8. Serve with fresh fruit and cream

Badaam Ko Barfi (Almond fudge)

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups almonds
2 cups whole milk
1 ½ cups sugar
½ cup ghee (clarified butter) or unsalted butter
1 teaspoon cardamom powder

Directions:

1.  Grease a 9 x 13-inch pan and set aside
2.  Soak almonds in warm water for 5 hours
3.  Grind the almonds and milk in a food processor.
4.  Mix the almond paste with sugar
5.  Cook in a heavy saucepan, stirring frequently, until the moisture evaporates (approx. 15 minutes)
6.  Add butter, about 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing well after each addition.
7.  Make sure the mixture does not burn or stick to the pan.
8.  Add cardamom powder.
9.  Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan.
10. Spread evenly,
11. Set the pan aside for approx one house until the barfi sets
12. Cut into squares or diamond shapes.

Note: You can store the barfi in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

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