Dolpa, Dec. 22 -- Communities in Jumla, Dolpa and several other districts of Karnali Province observed Chhora Tihar (literally son Tihar) on Sunday, a centuries-old festival in which sons receive blessings from their mothers. The festival falls on Poush Shukla Pratipada, nearly two months after Bhaitika-the nationwide celebration marking the bond between brothers and sisters.

In contrast to Bhaitika, where sisters apply a multi-coloured tika to their brothers' foreheads, Chhora Tihar is centred around the mother-son relationship. Mothers place akshata on their sons' foreheads, adorn them with garlands, and offer traditional dishes as sagun.

After receiving tika, sons bow at their mother's feet and present gifts-often money or clothing-a...