October 19: The Nepal Calendar Fixation Committee has announced 11:37 am on October 27 as the auspicious time for putting tika or colourful marks on the forehead during this year's Tihar festival.    
This year's Tihar festival starts from October 22, Saturday with the observance of Yamadeepdan, the offerings of lamps to Yamadeva (the deity of death). The religious belief is that the celebration of Yamadeepdan will prevent the devotee from facing untimely death.    
Executive director of the committee Surya Prasad Dhungel said Dhantrayodashi (Dhanteras) should also be observed same day. The Kag Tihar, the festival of crow, falls on October 23 and Laxmi Puja (worship of Hindu Goddess Laxmi), one of the major celebrations of the Tihar festival, falls on Monday, October 24.    
October 25 is the day for Gai Puja when cow is cow worshipped with Hindu rituals.

“We will observe solar eclipse the same day,” said Dhungel.

October 26 is the Gobardhan Puja, the day of worshipping the ox. The Newar community celebrates the Mha Puja (worship of the self) on the same day. The day also marks the commencement of the Nepal Sambat 1143.    
The tika for this year's Tihar festival is being observed on October 27 when sisters and brothers exchange the saptarangi tika (seven-coloured tika) on the occasion. Sisters put tika on the forehead of their brothers wishing their wellbeing and longevity and offer them special delicacies. In return brothers also put tika on them and give gifts to their sisters. The Newar community celebrates the Kija Puja the same day. -- RSS