Celebrating Tihar: (L-R) Sami Wagle, Meena Malla, Sangeeta Thapa Lamicchane, Sam Atukorala, Venuja Atukorala, 13, Deepa Thapa Magar, Auntie Bimala.
As Shepparton’s Nepalese community grows, so too do its celebrations.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Nepalese residents of Shepparton gathered in Ferrari Park, Mooroopna, on October 31 to mark the end of Tihar or Deepawali, the second-largest holiday on the Nepali calendar.
Event organiser and Shepparton Nepalese community member Hem KC said it was the first time Tihar was celebrated in Shepparton.
“It was fantastic,” he said.
“It was a very casual event, and due to COVID restrictions we celebrated in the park.”
First Tihar in Shepparton: Traditions and food were among the ways the Nepalese community brought Tihar to Shepparton for the first time this year.
Tihar, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a Hindu festival that takes place over five days at the end of October and early November, with a different significance each day.
Crows, dogs, cows and oxes are worshipped over the first four days of the festival, before the final day, Bhai Tika.
On the final day, brothers and sisters exchange garlands and tika (marks on the forehead), and traditional diyo candles are lit.
In Shepparton, the Nepalese community also enjoyed traditional dances and singing called Deusi and Bhailo on the final day, and cooked cultural food to enjoy in the park.
There are between 60 and 70 Nepalese families living in Shepparton, a number that has grown in the past few years according to Mr KC.
“Hopefully next year we celebrate more Nepalese holidays in Shepparton,” he said.
6°C