Kathmandu. The festival of Yamapanchak, which is regarded as the festival of light, is officially starting from today. This festival is celebrated every year from Kartik Krishna Trayodashi to Kartik Shukla Dwitiya. As Dwadashi and then Trayodashi date will be till 1:23 pm today, the second biggest festival of Nepali, Tihar festival has started from today. 

As the Kartik Krishna Trayodashi date falls after 1:23 p.m., it is mentioned in the calendar approved by the Nepal Panchang Adjudicatory Development Committee that Dhanteras i.e. Dhantrayodashi festival should be celebrated today. Yamdeepdan will also start from today, Prof. Dr. Devmani Bhattarai, a member of the committee and a theologian, informed the government. He said that Kag Tihar falls on Sunday. There is a classical tradition of celebrating Dhantrayodashi and Yamdeepdan festival on the evening Trayodashi date. Chairman of the committee Prof. Shambhu Prasad Dhakal informed that this decision was made according to the classical belief that Yamadeepdan should be started in the evening on the day of Trayodashi and Kag Tihar should be celebrated on the day of Trayodashi in the morning. 

It is believed that if Yamdeep is offered on the occasion of Yamapanchak, one will be freed from Yamayatna. Dhanwantari Jayanti falls on Sunday. The committee also said that due to the change in date, Kukur Tihar and Lakshmi Puja fell on the same day on Monday. Yamdeepdan is done based on the number of family members. Prof. Toyraj Nepal, a theologian, says that one should face the south while offering Yamadeep. Yamadeep is offered from Kartik Krishna Trayodashi to Kartik Shukla Dwitiya i.e. the day of Bhaitika. 

Dhakal, the chairman of the committee, said that on Sunday 2nd of October, Kukur Tihar will be celebrated in the morning and Lakshmi Puja should be performed in the evening. On Monday morning before sunrise, bath is taken with Apamarga. It is called Narak Bath. It is believed that on this day, if you bathe ritually in the morning and light a lamp and wash it in the river, you will not have to endure the torment of hell.