Blooming together: Farmers and children’s home light up Tihar with marigolds (Photos)
Kathmandu: The Hindu festival of Tihar, also known as Yama Panchak, began on Sunday.
Celebrated as the festival of flowers and lights, Tihar holds special significance for the marigold (Sayapatri) and globe amaranth (Makhmali) flowers. Especially on the day of Laxmi Puja, marigold garlands are almost mandatory for decorating homes, shops, and offices.
According to historical records, the marigold flower is believed to have originated in Mexico and Central America. Blooming in the forests there, it gradually spread through human settlements to the rest of the world. Today, the flower is deeply associated with the colors and vibrancy of Tihar.
As the festival approaches, sunny slopes and fields across the country become covered with blooming clusters of flowers, and farmers are busy harvesting them.
‘Sunaulo Paila,’ a children’s home located in Gokarneshwar, Kathmandu, has been cultivating marigolds on the slopes of Suntakhan for the past three years.
According to the organization’s chairperson, Rojina Bista, the income from flower sales is used to support the care and education of the children living at the home. Bista said that this year, a tine (around 4 pathis) of marigold flowers is being sold for 700 rupees.
(Glimpses of blooming Marigolds from Sunaulo Paila)
(Photos: Saroj Basnet)