Quick Reference Card
| Date | Fifth day of Tihar / Bhai Tika day (November 11, 2026) |
| Duration | Single day |
| Observance | Cultural/Religious |
| Celebrated in | Throughout Nepal, particularly in Newar communities of Kathmandu Valley |
| Observing Communities | Nepali Hindu and Newar communities; celebrated by sisters for their brothers |
| Type of Event | Brother-Sister Bond Festival (Sibling Celebration) |
| Purpose of Event | Honor and strengthen the sacred bond between brothers and sisters through ritual blessings, tika ceremonies, and gift exchange |
| Holiday Status | Part of Tihar public holiday |
| First Observed in | Ancient Hindu tradition; connected to Tihar's fifth day (Bhai Tika) |
Quick Fact: Kija Pooja is the beloved Nepali celebration of the brother-sister bond, observed on the fifth and final day of the Tihar festival. "Kija" refers to a younger sibling in Newari tradition, reflecting the deep cultural roots of this festival in the Newar community. Sisters apply the special seven-colored tika on their brothers' foreheads and pray for their long life, health, and prosperity, while brothers offer gifts and blessings in return.
Kija Pooja is one of Nepal's most heartfelt family celebrations, observed on the fifth and final day of the Tihar festival. Known more broadly as Bhai Tika (brother's tika) or Bhai Panchami, this celebration honors the sacred bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters pray for their brothers' longevity, health, and success, applying an elaborate multi-colored tika on their brothers' foreheads in a ceremony rooted in ancient Hindu traditions. Brothers in turn offer gifts and blessings, expressing gratitude and affection for their sisters' love and prayers.
History and Background
Kija Pooja draws its spiritual foundation from Hindu mythology involving Yama, the god of death, and his sister Yamuna (also called Yami). According to tradition, when Yama visited his beloved sister Yamuna on this day, she welcomed him with great love — washing his feet, applying tika, offering garlands and sweets, and praying for his continued well-being. Touched by her devotion and love, Yama declared that any brother who receives tika from his sister on this auspicious day will be blessed with a long and healthy life. This mythology gave rise to the Bhai Tika tradition, celebrated throughout Nepal as one of the most emotionally significant family observances. In Newar tradition, this day is specifically called Kija Pooja, where "Kija" carries the warm connotation of a beloved younger sibling, and the ceremony includes elaborate rituals involving specially prepared ritual items with symbolic colors representing prosperity, health, and divine protection.
Purpose of Kija Pooja
This festival is mainly observed to:
Honor and celebrate the sacred bond between brothers and sisters through ritual ceremony and mutual blessing.
Pray for brothers' longevity, good health, and protection from misfortune through the sister's heartfelt tika ceremony.
Strengthen family bonds through shared celebration, gift exchange, and expression of mutual care and affection.
Honor the mythological relationship between Yama and Yamuna as a divine model of sibling devotion.
Conclude the five-day Tihar festival on a note of familial love and celebration of human relationships.
How is Kija Pooja Observed?
Kija Pooja is observed through an elaborate and joyful tika ceremony:
Sisters prepare a special seven-colored tika (made from seven different materials including oil, yogurt, flowers, and colored powders) representing comprehensive blessings for their brothers.
Brothers sit on a ceremonial mat while sisters apply the tika on their foreheads with care and devotion, reciting prayers for their well-being.
Garlands of flowers — particularly marigold and other auspicious blooms — are placed around brothers' necks.
A ritual boundary of oil (representing a protective circle) is drawn around the seated brothers as sisters pray for divine protection.
Brothers give gifts — traditionally money, sweets, or clothing — to their sisters in appreciation of their prayers and love.
Families gather for festive meals, games, and celebration, bringing Tihar's five-day festival to a joyful close.
Importance of Kija Pooja
Kija Pooja is important for several reasons:
It represents one of Nepal's most cherished family traditions, reinforcing the bond between siblings across all communities.
It provides a dedicated annual occasion for sisters to express their love and care for their brothers through sacred ritual.
It connects Nepali family life to ancient Hindu mythology through the story of Yama and Yamuna's enduring sibling devotion.
It closes Tihar — Nepal's most beloved festival season — with a celebration of human relationships and familial love.
It maintains cultural continuity by transmitting traditional tika ceremonies, ritual knowledge, and family customs across generations.
Conclusion
Kija Pooja is a beautiful reminder that at the heart of Nepal's richest festival season lies not just the worship of gods and nature, but the celebration of the most fundamental human bond — the love between brothers and sisters. As sisters apply tika with prayers on their lips and brothers receive those blessings with grateful hearts, Kija Pooja transforms a mythological story about divine siblings into a living, breathing celebration of family love that spans generations.