How Nepali artists are celebrating Tihar

For many Nepalis, Tihar is a time for family gatherings, festive lights, worship and shopping. For artists, too, the festival brings its share of traditions and personal rituals. But how they spend the holiday varies—from stocking up on puja essentials and buying gifts for siblings to working on new creative projects.

Some, meanwhile, are finding it difficult to celebrate. Actor Richa Sharma particularly enjoys the rituals and decorations associated with Tihar. She has already bought the essentials for the five-day festival, including items for Lakshmi Puja.

On the day of Lakshmi Puja, she plans to clean her home and office, make rangoli, welcome Lakshmi’s footprints and worship Ganesh, Lakshmi, Narayan and Saraswati. Every year, Sharma buys brooms, lotus stems, traditional clay lamps and decorative footprints of the goddess Lakshmi. She prefers buying these items from vendors selling them on the streets rather than from supermarkets.