Tihar begins: Nepal lights its lamps as Aldershot hosts an early Kukur Tihar celebration

Tihar, the five-day festival of lights, began in Nepal today with Kaag Tihar, when households leave food out for crows before eating themselves. The festival calendar for 2083 BS places Kukur Tihar and Laxmi Puja together on Sunday 8 November, Gai Tihar on Monday, Govardhan Puja, Mha Puja and the Nepal Sambat New Year on Tuesday 10 November, and Bhai Tika on Wednesday 11 November.

In the United Kingdom, celebrations are starting a day ahead of Kukur Tihar. An event listing shows a Kukur Tihar celebration at Union Yard, 43 High Street, Aldershot, from 11am to 3pm today, at which dogs are to be honoured with garlands and treats. The listing names the organiser as "GRNC Charity"; the Greater Rushmoor Nepali Community, the Aldershot-based registered charity (no. 1106632), uses those initials. Aldershot and Farnborough have among the largest Nepalese populations in Britain, rooted in the town's long Gurkha connection.

In Nepal, the holiday period has practical effects. Nepal Oil Corporation has said it will keep fuel depots open through the Tihar holidays, and the Supreme Court is not expected to hear new petitions until after the break. Families in the UK planning video calls for Bhai Tika should note that Wednesday morning in Nepal falls in the small hours of the UK night. Chhath follows, with its main evening offering on 15 November.