Bhai Tika, which is celebrated on the last day of the five-day-long Tihar festival, is being observed across the nation on Wednesday.

The fifth day of Tihar, also known as Yama Dwitiya, sisters wish their brothers long life, health and wealth with respect, faith and loyalty by putting Pancharangi or Saptarangi tika as per age-old traditions.

After sisters put tika on their brothers’ forehead, brothers also put tika on their sisters. It is widely believed that worshipping one’s sisters leads to good luck and prosperity.

Even though Bhai Tika can take place throughout the day today, the auspicious time is at 10:51am, said Srikrishna Adhikari, chairperson of the Nepal Calendar Determination Committee. The rituals can be carried out till sunset.

The committee said that this year, the sisters who are putting tika to the brothers should turn to the West and the brothers who are receiving the tika to the East.

Following the religious and social tradition sisters give their brothers food packets including dry fruits and selroti after applying tika, while brothers show their respect by offering gifts to their sisters as symbols of good fortune.

Meanwhile, in the capital Kathmandu, the temple of Balgopaleshwar in the middle of Ranipokhari will be open for those who do not have sisters and those who are unable to reach their sisters for Bhai tika. Those who don’t have sisters and brothers go to this temple, perform worship and receive tika.

Similarly, Dr Govind Tandon, a cultural expert and former member secretary of Pashupati Area Development Trust, shared that there is also a practice of worshiping at the Khanjaneshwar Mahadev temple in Jaybageswari today by those who do not have sisters and brothers.

Bhaitika is celebrated by the Newa community as Kijapuja.