Tihar 2026 runs from Saturday 7 to Wednesday 11 November. Laxmi Puja is on Sunday 8 November, and Bhai Tika is on Wednesday 11 November. Palungo is a Nepali restaurant at 259 Malpas Road in Brockley, and it is a good place/option to celebrate with family, siblings and friends in this Tihar.
On Laxmi Puja night, Nepali homes fill with diyas and marigold garlands, with rangoli by the door. In a London flat, it might be one tea light on a windowsill. That still counts.
This post covers Tihar in South East London: the dates, what each day means, and where to celebrate near Brockley.
Palungo Restaurant at Brockley
If you haven’t heard of us yet, there’s a Nepali restaurant called Palungo on Malpas Road. The place is small and warm, and the menu is built around the food we grew up eating. You can read our story on the About page.
Booking is open for Tihar Festival Celebfration. Celebrate your this tihar with your loved once at southeast, London. Contact us now or reserve your seat now!
A little piece of Nepal on Malpas Road
You’ll find Nepali food made the way it’s made at home, with festival dishes and a friendly room to go with them.
Didi, bhai, dai, bahini. Bring your appetite. We’ll bring the Nepali food and the festival feeling.
Whether you’re a student in New Cross, working shifts in Lewisham or visiting a sibling in Catford, there’s a seat for you.
Nepal's Main Festival: Dashain and Tihar
Dashain finishes on 25 October with Purnima. Tihar follows about two weeks later. If you missed our Dashain story, read how Dashain feels in South East London.
Tihar 2026 dates
- Saturday 7 November: Kaag Tihar
- Sunday 8 November: Kukur Tihar and Laxmi Puja
- Monday 9 November: Gai Tihar on some calendars. Many families honour cows on the morning of Laxmi Puja.
- Tuesday 10 November: Goru Tihar, Govardhan Puja and Mha Puja
- Wednesday 11 November: Bhai Tika
Dates follow the 2083 Nepali calendar and Nepal’s public holiday list. Tika times can differ, so check your family’s Panchang.
FAQs: Is Tihar the same as Diwali?
Tihar is the Nepali festival of lights. It falls around the same time as Diwali in India, and some lamp and Laxmi traditions overlap. But Tihar has its own five days, its own songs and its own day for siblings.
The 5 days of Tihar
Kaag Tihar and Kukur Tihar, 7 and 8 November
On day one, families honour crows, seen as messengers. On day two, they honour dogs with garlands, tika and a good meal.
Laxmi Puja night 2026, Sunday 8 November
This is the big evening. Families clean the house and light lamps to welcome Laxmi, the goddess of wealth.
Lamps, rangoli and Deusi-Bhailo
Doorways get marigold garlands and rangoli. In many communities, groups go door to door singing Deusi-Bhailo (देउसी भैलो). Hosts give money and often sel roti in return.
Gai Tihar and Goru Tihar, 9 and 10 November
Cows and oxen are honoured over these days. Newar families also mark Mha Puja on 10 November, a ritual that honours the self, along with the start of the Nepal Sambat new year.
Bhai Tika, 11 November
Bhai Tika (भाइटीका) is the last day. Sisters put a multicoloured tika on their brothers’ foreheads and pray for their long life. Brothers give gifts and blessings back, and cousins often join in.
One table, one tika, one family.
Celebrate Tihar Though you’re far from home
The sister in Catford and the brother in New Cross
Many siblings live in different parts of the city. Work, rent and rotas mean you can go months without meeting. Bhai Tika is a good reason to change that. A table and a free evening is plenty.
Lamps on a London doorstep
In November, Bonfire Night and Diwali bring fireworks to many streets. It can feel odd to hear them and not smell sel roti. You can still bring a bit of Nepal into the week. Light a diya, call home, then eat something that tastes like it.
If you’re on your own this year, that’s okay. Send the photo of your plate home. They’ll want to see it.
Celebrate Tihar at Palungo Restaurant, A Nepali Authentic Restaurant
Looking for a Nepali restaurant near you for Tihar celebration? Palungo is an easy trip from Brockley, Lewisham, New Cross, Telegraph Hill, Honor Oak, Deptford, Forest Hill and Catford. Many guests also come from Greenwich and Blackheath, so see our guide to Nepali food near Greenwich.
Laxmi Puja night, Sunday 8 November
Sunday is a good night for friends or family. We’re open 12pm to 9pm on Sundays. [Confirm any extended hours for 8 November.] Book ahead if you’re coming in a group.
A Bhai Tika meal, Wednesday 11 November
The tika time is set in Nepal time, so in the UK it can fall very early. Many families do the tika at home first, then meet for a meal in the evening. We’re open 12 pm to 9.30 pm on Wednesdays. Bring your sister, your brother or a cousin to celebrate your Tihar Weekend.
Brother and sister, same table. Nepali food, good company and a bit of festival noise.
Tihar food at Palungo: what to eat
If you’re looking for Tihar food in London, start with our Festival Special. [Confirm it runs through Tihar.]
Sel roti Platter (£9.95)
Looking for a restaurant with sel roti? This platter comes with rice flour sel roti, potato-cucumber achar, chickpea curry, chopped roast chicken, a fried whole egg, puffed rice bread and salad.
Mutton Thali
The Mutton Thali comes with unlimited servings of Himalayan flavours. New to this style of meal? Read what a Thakali thali really is.
Paya Jhol Momo
Paya Jhol Momo is chicken momo in a warm mutton broth, made for the colder weather. For more on momo styles, see our guide to Nepali momo in London.
Vegetarian and vegan
We serve veg momo, dal bhat and Nepali curries. Tell the team how you eat. More ideas are in our list of vegan Nepali dishes near Lewisham. The full list is on our menu.
Book a table, or take it home
You can reserve a table online, order takeaway or message us for a group table. Or call +44 (0) 2036020967. For train, bus and parking details, see Visit Us.
More Nepali food stories from Palungo
- What Is Thakali Thali?: a set meal that feels like being looked after.
- Best Momo in London: how to tell steamed, fried and jhol momo apart.
- Vegan Nepali dishes near Lewisham: ten plant-based plates to try.
- Nepali food near Greenwich and Blackheath: where to eat if you’re coming from the east.
- Dashain in South East London: our story of the festival that comes just before Tihar.
- All Palungo stories
Come and light a lamp with us
Tihar is about looking after each other, from the family dog to the sister in Catford.
So ring your sister, pick a night and book a table. We’ll be here with the food.
तिहारको शुभकामना। भाइटीकाको शुभकामना।
Reserve a table | Order takeaway | Call +44 (0) 2036020967
Palungo Nepali Restaurant, 259 Malpas Road, Brockley, London SE4 1BH
FAQs
When is Tihar 2026 in the UK?
Tihar 2026 runs from Saturday 7 November to Wednesday 11 November. Laxmi Puja is on Sunday 8 November. The dates are the same in the UK, but tika times can differ, so check your Panchang.
When is Bhai Tika 2026?
Bhai Tika is on Wednesday, 11 November 2026 (Kartik 25, 2083 BS). The tika time is set in Nepal time, so ask your family or check a trusted Nepali calendar.
What do Nepalis eat during Tihar?
Many families make sel roti, sweets, rice, curries and festival snacks. It varies by home and region. Sel roti is common and is often given to Deusi-Bhailo singers.
Is Tihar the same as Diwali?
No, but they’re related. Tihar is Nepal’s five-day festival of lights, with its own rituals, songs and sibling day. Diwali is the Indian festival that falls around the same time.
What is Deusi-Bhailo?
Deusi-Bhailo is a traditional Tihar song performed by groups who visit homes. Hosts give money and treats in return.
Where can I find a Tihar celebration near me in South East London?
Palungo is on Malpas Road in Brockley, where you can celebrate Laxmi Puja night or Bhai Tika with Nepali food. Student societies and community groups also host events, so check with them for dates.
Can I book a table for Laxmi Puja night or Bhai Tika?
Yes, Book online or call +44 (0) 2036020967. Tell us your group size and time. Early evening fills first.