WARNING: THIS BLOG CONTAINS MATERIAL THAT COULD POSSIBLY BE OFFENSIVE TO CERTAIN RELIGIONS. THE JOKES THAT ARE SHOWN IN THIS POST ARE MEANT TO SHOW HUMOR, AND ARE NOT PURPOSED TO CAUSE VIOLENCE. I APOLOGIZE FOR ANY ANGER WHILE READING THIS POST.
Hello everyone! I’m going to teach you all about a holiday from the mythology that can give you an existential crisis! Yep! I’m going to be talking about the holiday Tihar from Hindi mythology! Tihar is a very bright and fun holiday that includes celebrating your pets and yourself! It’s also more commonly called Diwali or The Festival of Lights! So it’s only fitting that it supports DEATH.
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You don’t believe me? How about we talk a little more about what the story behind Tihar is first and WHY it celebrates death instead of happy rainbows and sunshine! (idk i regret putting that line in lol)
So the origin of Tihar is that it celebrates the god Yama, who is basically the Grim Reaper of India. How was he made into the role anyway? Because we all know that all gods in mythology have a certain origin.
For Vishnu, he was born sleeping in the coils of a great serpent (which just appeared one day). For Ganesha, he was created from magic clay by Parvati, his mother (getting some Wonder Woman vibes, eh DC fans?) And Yama…
He was the first person to die. That’s how he became the grim Reaper. Yeah, don’t ask me how he died. Since there was no grim reaper before him, I have absolutely no idea how he died, so don’t ask me, ask someone who actually knows about Hindi mythology.
And the reason why we celebrate Tihar is because his sister (who was human) sent messengers to her brother, since he spent a lot of time away from her (“stay here sis! those people won’t die themselves!”.
To keep in touch with her brother, she first sent a crow, then a doggo (who’s a good pupper), then a cow and an ox (technically the same thing but oh well). Another god that is celebrated with Yama during the festival is Laxmi, the goddess of wealth.
Why is she here? I dunno, she just is, I guess.
Lastly, the most important parts of Tihar include celebrating things, one the first day, the crow, the second, dog, the third and fourth, the cow and the ox. The last day, however, you celebrate yourself. The process is called Mha Pooja, and it’s very important for my family. Because the most important part about the festival is that you celebrate yourself!
But also Kukur Pooja is also important because you get to celebrate DOGGOS! If you hurt a pupper on that day, you will have bad sins on your back for the rest of your life.
See you all later!
– Nova S
Diwali is referred to as Tihar in Nepal, Sikkim and Gorkhaland and is marked by lighting diyo inside and outside the home but unlike Diwali in other parts of India, the five days of Tihar include celebration and worship of the four creatures associated with the Hindu god of death Yama, with the final day reserved for people themselves, But for Indians it signifies the return of Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana return to Ayodhya, after their 14 years of exile and victory over Ravana, lamps are lightened throughout the kingdom. Thus, the tradition of lighting oil lamps on Diwali symbolizes the victory of good over evil and freedom from spiritual darkness. Also its commonly a one day(or a three day) festival for indians. In summary you guys celebrate the death god and we celebrate evil being destroyed.
Also
Kalantaka or Kalinjar (Sanskrit: कालान्तक, ender of time) is an aspect of the Hindu god Shiva as the Conqueror of Time and Death, itself personified by the god Yama. He is depicted as defeating or killing Yama when the latter comes to take the life of Shiva’s devotee Markandeya.
Thank you!