Gai Tihar being celebrated today

KATHMANDU, Oct 25: Gai tihar, usually celebrated together with  Laxmi puja on Kartik Krishna paksha Aushi as the 3rd day of tihar, is being celebrated alone on October 25th this year due to various tithi complications. It is an important occasion which may be overshadowed by other aspects of tihar.

Gai tihar is celebrated usually as a precursor to Laxmi puja since the cow is the vahan(Vehicle) of Goddess Laxmi. Cow is considered extremely sacred in hindu culture hence it isn't eaten by the religious people. It provides us milk and various other dairy products, while its urine and dung are considered to be holy as well. The dung can be used as a fertilizer and the leather and hide can be used to make various materials. Many parts of a car such as the tires, leather seats, adhesives and brake fluid can also be made by using various parts of a cow.