Tihar Festival Begins: Dhanteras Celebrated, Rush at New Road Gold and Silver Shops

Kathmandu. Nepal’s second-largest festival, Tihar, has begun today (Sunday). The festival, which is celebrated every year from Karthik Krishna Trayodashi (the thirteenth day of the dark fortnight) to Karthik Shukla Dwitiya (the second day of the bright fortnight), formally commenced this year after the Trayodashi Tithi (date) began at 1:23 PM this afternoon.

The first day of Tihar was celebrated today as Dhanteras, or Dhantrayodashi festival. According to religious tradition, it is customary to specifically purchase metal items (gold, silver, copper, brass) on this day.

On this occasion, a significant crowd of people has been observed at the gold and silver shops in the New Road area of the capital since the morning. Consumers gathered at the stores to purchase metal ornaments and utensils.