Diyo Magic in Dhading

by Binod Duwadi

December is Remembrance Month at The Worthy Educator!

Dear Walter,

Namaste!

You know me, Binod Duwadi, as an English teacher in Dhading School and at Kathmandu University, but during Tihar, I am just a village son.

Tihar is a five-day Hindu festival of lights celebrated in Nepal and parts of India, by the Nepali and Indian Gorkha people. The festival coincides and shares similarities with Diwali, the festival of lights celebrated across the India subcontinent and elsewhere, but Tihar also has distinct features.

When Tihar begins, we clean the house. Mother says, “Laxmi likes a clean floor and a clean heart.” I smile—it's the same lesson I give Class 8.

Then on Crow Day, we place Sel Roti on the roof. My student Anju claps when the crow eats.

Next on Dog Day our dog Bhote gets tika and mala and his tail spins like a fan.

For Laxmi Puja Night, every house glows with diyo. Mother draws rangoli and I write “HOPE” in rice powder. When the power cuts, we light more diyo, sing bhailo, and our voices touch the stars.

During Bhai Tika, sisters put on seven-color tika. We eat sel roti and goat curry., and then we play cards under the mango tree. Anju cheats, loses and laughs.

Finally, for the Night Walk with stars close and air sweet, the cities have big lights. We have small diyo, but our hearts are full.

May 2026 give every teacher one quiet Tihar night!

Your Friend,

Binod Duwadi

An English Teacher from Nepal

Binod Duwadi has his Masters in English Language Education from Kathmandu University, and he serves on the faculty of English for Kathmandu University's Schools of Education and Management. His research interests include English Language Teaching, Information and Communication Technology and Multiliteracy pedagogy. You can reach Binod directly via email here.