Bhaktapur to Celebrate Mha Puja on Kartik 4 and Kija Puja on Kartik 5
Bhaktapur’s Newar community has announced that this year’s Tihar festival will be celebrated with Mha Puja on Kartik 4 and Kija Puja (Bhai Tika) on Kartik 5.
This decision was made during a meeting held under the chairmanship of Sunil Prajapati, the Mayor of Bhaktapur Municipality, on Wednesday. The meeting was attended by Taleju Temple priests and astrologers Dr. Birendra Prasad Kayastha and Kedar Prasad Daivagya Joshi, who discussed the auspicious dates for this year’s Tihar (Swanti) celebration.
Decision on Tihar Dates
According to the priests of Taleju Temple and based on astrological calculations:
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Kartik 2 (Sunday): Kag Tihar
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Kartik 3 (Monday): Kukur Tihar in the morning, Laxmi Puja in the evening after 3:00 p.m. (Aunsi Tithi begins)
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Kartik 4 (Tuesday): Mha Puja will be performed after 4:29 p.m. (Kachalathwa Pratipada Tithi)
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Kartik 5 (Wednesday): Kija Puja (Bhai Tika) will be performed after 6:20 p.m. (Dwitiya Tithi)
Panchang Committee’s Different Schedule
As per the Panchang Determination Committee:
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Kartik 4: Rest day (Khali)
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Kartik 5: Mha Puja
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Kartik 6 (Thursday): Kija Puja (Bhai Tika)
For several years now, Bhaktapur Municipality has chosen to celebrate Tihar based on the decision made by the Taleju Temple priests and astrologers, instead of following the dates published by the Panchang Determination Committee. The municipality has consistently urged residents to follow these locally determined dates.
Municipal Decision and Community Response
Following this year’s meeting, Bhaktapur Municipality again released its own festival calendar, differing from the Panchang Committee’s schedule, and called on residents to celebrate Tihar accordingly.
As in past years, members of the Newar community in Bhaktapur remain divided on which schedule to follow. Some households will observe Tihar according to the municipality’s decision, while others will adhere to the Panchang Committee’s schedule.
Published Date: October 9, 2025
