Tihar: festival u čast pasa i drugih životinja


25 listopada 2017

U Nepalu se ovog mjeseca održava godišnji festival Tihar. Tokom tog festivala hindusi izražavaju poštovanje i zahvalu svim životinjama u zemlji. Drugi je dan posebno posvećen psima.

Tihar je petodnevni hinduistički festival u Nepalu koji se održava svake godine krajem listopada i početkom studenog. Tihar znači “festival svjetla”. Festival je simbol “pobjede svjetla nad tamom, dobrog nad zlim i znanjem nad neznanjem”. Ovaj festival također slavi čovjeka, bogove i životinje.

Tokom Tihar festivala svaki dan ima svoj fokus. Vrana, krava i pas su u očima Nepalaca životinje s kojima ljudi mogu imati čvrste odnose i ove životinje imaju svaka svoj dan tokom kojeg su im kompletno posvećeni i tokom kojeg ih se tetoši i slavi.

Tokom prvog dana, Kag Tihar, slave se vrane. Prema hinduističkom vjerovanja vrane su glasnici Yame, boga smrti. Njezino glasanje je simbol tuge. Kako bi smrt i tugu držali podalje od svojih kuća, nose vranama hranu i žrtvene prinose.

Drugi dan festivala, Kukur Tihar, potpuno je posvećen slavljenju pasa. Cijelog dana se psima, pa i lutalicama, zahvaljuje za njihovu vjernosti i prijateljstvo. Ljudi se brinu o njima, dobivaju razne slastice i hranu. Kasnije tokom festivala bikovi i krave također dobivaju poseban tretman. U hinduizmu je krava simbol bogatstva i blagostanja.

Sve u svemu, festival pun slavlja i simbolike, gdje se prije svega ističe poštovanje prema životinjama.

Izvor: Nieuwsblad.be

This month, the annual Tihar Festival took place in Nepal. During the associated festivities, Hindus thank and honour animals throughout the country. The second day is dedicated entirely to dogs.

Tihar is a five-day long Hindu festival celebrated in Nepal each year in late October/early November. Tihar means ‘Festival of lights’. The festival symbolizes ‘the victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance’. It is also about honouring people, gods and animals.

During the Tihar Festival, each day has its own focus. In the eyes of the Nepalese, crows, cows and dogs are animals that people can have intense relationships with. These animals each have a day entirely dedicated to them on which they are pampered and honoured.

On the first day, Kag Tihar, crows are honoured. In Hinduism, crows are seen as messengers of Yama, god of death. The call of a crow symbolizes sorrow. To keep death and sorrow from their homes, the Nepalese bring the crows offerings and food.

The second day of the festival, Kukur Tihar, is dedicated entirely to honouring dogs. Throughout the day, dogs, including strays, are rewarded for their loyalty and friendship. The animals are cared for, and offered garlands and all sorts of treats. Later during the festival, special attention is given to cows and bulls. In Hinduism, the cow represents prosperity and wealth.

Overall, a spiritual festival with many festivities and symbolism, especially notable for its respect for animals.

Source: Nieuwsblad.be