SHERIDAN — Vibrant colors dot the landscape and bright orange shines above the rest. Candles in all residences light up the night sky. Cows, dogs, crows and bulls bow throughout Hinduism.
This is the celebration known as Deepavali or Diwali, the second largest Hindu festival in Nepal.
Families, young and old, come together to celebrate for a total of five days, centered around the New Year. Little Kitchen owner Thomas Jefferson, who brought Nepal to Sheridan, hosts his own vacation rendition.
The first day of the celebration is called Kaag Tihar and Nepal worships crows as messengers of death. Crows are believed to bring messages to his family. If the family keeps the crow satisfied with rice and treats, the crow can have good luck in the coming year.
The next day, Kukur Tihar, focuses on dogs who serve as spirit guides in the afterlife. The owner pampers the dog with his status and secures a place in the afterlife. One of his procedures is to apply Chandon, a Golden He paste made from ground Indian sandalwood, and Simlic, a plant-based mixture, to the dog’s forehead. The owner also applies a string of marigolds to his neck and provides a meal of lamb and rice.
“We do this to thank them for what they do for our lives,” Jefferson said.
Jefferson previously lived in Nepal and opened his first Little Kitchen in 2020. Shortly thereafter, he realized that bringing his own culture to Sheridan was a priority. For the past few years, Jefferson has hosted his own event, and this year it will be on his October 23rd. Jefferson will be honoring about 50 dogs at Little Kitchen starting at 3pm. The room behind the restaurant.
The event will be the first to be co-hosted with a dog and cat shelter, said Marian Eccles, dog trainer at the dog and cat shelter. Previously, shelters only brought in a few dogs. However, this year volunteers will help with the ceremony.
“Honestly, the blessings really work,” said Cindy Pop, operations manager at the dog and cat shelter. One of them had been in a shelter for several years at the time.The dog was adopted shortly after the event.”
The shelter will also accept donations during the event.
The third day is called Lakshmi Puja and in the morning cows are worshiped with garlands. They are also given sel, roti, rice and dal as part of the celebration.
Another part of the day involves cleaning one house for Lakshmi Puja. Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth and puja means leaving offerings to gods and goddesses. To welcome the goddess into their homes, families clean their homes and smear the floors with red mud, rattomatoes, and cow dung. They withhold offerings such as fruit, money, sweets, flowers and jewelry. Children often go out in the afternoon to sing “Bairo” for money and food. Playing cards with my family at night.
Other methods include creating a mandala made of colorful powders, rice flour and flower petals. lead to a place.
The fourth day, Goru Puja, focuses on cows and bulls, considered to be the essential helpers of farmers.
The final day is called Bahitika and brothers celebrate each other. There are various stories behind this particular celebration. But they all revolve around a clever sister who tricked God into letting her brother live forever, said Jefferson. To participate, the sisters put colorful tikas, garlands around their brothers’ necks and gave them special treats called ‘shagun’. In return, the brother performs the same ritual and showers the sister with gifts.
On October 23rd, Jefferson welcomes everyone to attend the event with the opportunity to learn about the culture as a whole.
“I think it’s a good way to support local restaurants and newcomers to the town,” Eccles said. “It’s a very wholesome holiday that celebrates a lot of different things, including family, and I think that’s important.”
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