The Nepalese government has announced a public holiday on the day of Kija Puja, a day after Bhai Tika, on Wednesday October 30th 2019.
As per the cabinet decision of October 22nd, a public holiday has been announced for October 30th, through a press statement by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The final day of Tihar is known as Bhai Tika or Kija Puja. It is observed by sisters applying tika (the Nepali form of tilaka - a powdered mark) to their brother's forehead and wishing them a long life.
According to Hindu traditions, it is believed that Yamaraj (God of Death), visited his sister Goddess Yamuna on this day. She applied the auspicious tika on his forehead, garlanded him and offered delicacies. Before departing, Yamaraj gave a special gift as a token of his affection and in return Goddess, Yamuna gave him a gift which she had made with her own hands.
