Bhutanese have marked Tihar, one of the biggest festivals, with various programs across the world, BNS correspondents reported.
WRAP UP: Tulasha Poudyel performs the wrap up part of the “bhai teeka day” after offering teeka to her brothers in North Carolina. Photo/TP Mishra
According to the reports received from our correspondents based in different States of the USA, resettled Bhutanese in some States have organized public gathering to mark the festival while in most of the States Bhutanese observed the festival on their own temporary houses, apartments.
Reports from some of the States also say that Bhutanese even walked miles to play Deusi-Bhailo in their fellow friend’s house.
BNS correspondents in camps reported that exiled Bhutanese living in camps also marked the festival. Various cultural programs, Deusi-Bhailo, among others were being noticed in different camps.
According to TN Mishra, BNS correspondent, Bhutanese community folks in Oakland, California organized a cultural program on the eve of tihar. In the program, artists Talman Mongar, Madhan Mongar, Bharat Gurung, among others rocked the stage with various cultural shows. Bhutanese community folks in Oakland also played Deusi-Bhailo. Both Bhutanese and local people attended the program.
According to Yadhap Neopaney, BNS correspondent, Bhutanese in Canada also marked the festival with various programs. Resettled Bhutanese in Alberta celebrated Deepawali in their own apartments. According to Laxmi Timsina, adult and children played deuse-bhaili in different apartments of fellow Bhutanese people.
- Two sisters with their brother pose to camera in Canada after ‘bhai teeka’. Photo/Yadhap Neopaney
Similarly, Bhutanese in Torono in London celebrated Deepawali with full enjoyment than in Nepal. According to Krishna Tiwari, they played deuse-bhaili with low voice in different apartment of fellow Bhutanese. He informed BNS that Neeru Poudel reached there from USA to celebrate Tihar.
Bhutanese in Saskatoon celebrated Deepawali as like in Nepal. Mangal Singh Magar informed that children were engaged with deuse-bhaili
Meanwhile, Bhutanese in Quebec celebrated Deepawali by organizing deuse-bhaili. Lok Nath Gautam informed BNS that they played deuse-bhaili in the apartment of fellow Bhutanese and collected four hundred Canadian dollars.
BNS is yet to receive report from Europe.
Meanwhile, Bhutan Media Society has launched “Online Deusi Dhamaka“ on the eve of Tihar festival with an objective to collect funds to continue its radio program, Saranarthi Sarokar. Click here to access Dhamaka.
- Bhutanese children in California ready to mark ‘bhai teeka’. Photo/RN Pokhrel
Tihar, also known as Deepawali, the festival of lights that falls between October/November, is the second biggest festival after Dashain. This festival lasts for five days and people worship Laxmi – the Goddess of Wealth. All the houses are cleaned and decorated with the belief that Goddess Laxmi will enter the house that is the cleanest and people lit candles, oil lamps and other lights and the whole place looks illuminating.
Meanwhile, resettled folks in Minnesota celebrated Tihar with deusi and Bhai Teeka, among others. Several among them looked much excited to observe their festivals in a new location, BNS correspondent Arjun Pradhan reported.
During the five days, crows, dogs and cows are worshipped and honored with vermilion, garland and delicious food for what they have done in the lives of humans. The festival ends with Bhai Tika – brothers’ day when his sisters worship him for his long and healthy life to safeguard the lives of his sisters.
