Kathmandu: The celebration of Bhai Tika, the concluding day of the five-day Tihar festival, where Nepalis across the country participate in the ritual of applying colorful tika and exchanging blessings and gifts between brothers and sisters.

On this auspicious day, sisters adorned their brothers with vibrant tika, symbolizing well wishes for a long and healthy life, along with prosperity. To enhance the festive spirit, sisters also treated their brothers to delicious meals. In return, brothers reciprocated by applying tika to their sisters and presenting them with gifts.

Despite the designated auspicious hour for the tika application being at 10:51 am, individuals were observed throughout the day making their way to share in the festive tradition, as the ritual could be performed at any time during the day.

For those without biological siblings, the Balgopal Temple in Ranipokhari served as a place of celebration. Opened exclusively on Bhai Tika, the temple attracted individuals without brothers or sisters, providing them with the opportunity to receive tika.

Devotees flocked to the Balgopaleshwar Temple, situated in the center of the Ranipokhari pond in the city, to pay homage to god Balgopaleshwar and partake in the Bhai Tika festivities. The temple, traditionally closed since the 2015 Gorkha earthquake, reopened its doors in 2020 after undergoing reconstruction.

Rajunath Pandey, Senior Metropolitan Police Superintendent and Chief of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City Police Force, affirmed that the temple welcomed devotees from the early morning until evening, allowing them to offer worship and receive tika.

Siblings without biological counterparts also joined in the celebrations at the Balagopaleshwar temple, ensuring that everyone could partake in the joyous occasion of Bhai Tika.

The reopening of the temple on Bhai Tika in 2020 marked a significant moment, as it had remained closed since the earthquake in 2015, showcasing the resilience and restoration efforts that have allowed this cultural tradition to continue.