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Two persons were killed in separate road accidents in Sunsari.

A person died and three others were injured in a tempo accident at Malpot Chowk in Dharan Sub Metropolitan City-6, said the police.

The deceased has been identified as Padam Bahadur Limbu (34) of Kerabari Rural Municipality-5 in Morang district.

He died at Dharan-based BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, said Deputy Superintendent of Police Nabin Krishna Bhandari.

The tragedy occurred when the tempo (Ko 2 Ha 5565) skidded off the road.

All the injured are receiving treatment at the hospital, said Bhandari.

Police said that they have been searching for the absconding driver.

Similarly, a man died after being hit by a motorcycle (Ba 27 Pa 8701) at Inaruwa in Sunsari.

The deceased has been identified as Bal Kumar Khatiwada (60) of Inaruwa-3. He breathed his last at the Biratnagar-based Nobel Hospital, said the police. 

Two persons died and four others were injured when a tempo met with an accident at Totkesal in Achham last night.

The deceased have been identified as Dipak Bohara of Kamalbazaar Municipality-4, driver of the ill-fated vehicle, and a passenger Janak Khadka.

They died on the way to the district hospital, said Deputy Superintendent of Police Santosh Pathak.

The injured are receiving treatment at a health institute at Kamalbazaar, he said.

The vehicle (Sudurpaschim Province 01001 Ha 5545) was heading towards Dailekh from Kamalbazaar when the incident occurred.

The most important day of Tihar, the festival of lights, is being marked today with sisters offering 'tika' to their brothers.

Sisters throughout the country offer 'tika' to their brothers wishing them happiness, long life and prosperity on the occasion of Bhai tika. In return, the brothers pledged to protect their sisters from all kinds of adversities.

The auspicious hour for offering the 'tika' is 10: 51 am this year.

It, however, can be held until sunset. On this day, brothers are seated at a specially anointed place around which a trail of mustard oil is drawn.

The sisters then offer the brothers 'tika' and garlands of 'Dubo' and 'Makhamali'. After placing colorful 'tika' on the foreheads of their brothers, sisters offer them a treat consisting of varieties of sweets, walnut, spices and 'Sel', a special kind of bread cooked in oil.

Brothers also offer their sisters 'tika' in return, wish them happiness and good luck, and give them presents.

The occasion commemorates a legendary event in which a sister has won a boon from 'Yama', the deity of death that her brother would not die until the mustard oil is dried up and the garland of 'Dubo' and 'Makhamali' faded.

The Bhaitika tradition is so strong in Nepali society that even those who have no brothers or sisters of their own receive tika from others whom they regard as brothers and sisters.  

Nepal Sambat 1144 is being celebrated today across the country by organizing various programs. 

The Newar community celebrates the Nepal Sambat as the New Year. National luminary Shankhadhar Sakhwa initiated the Nepal Sambat calendar by liberating the Kathmandu Valley residents from debt.

Former Vice-Chancellor of Lumbini Buddhist University, Dr Triratna Manandhar, said Nepal Sambat had got recognition of National Sambat till the reign of Prithvi Narayan.

Since the establishment of democracy in 2007, a campaign has been launched for national recognition to Nepal Sambat.

The people of the Newar community observe Nepal Sambat as the New Year in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Banepa, Dhulikhel, and Dolakha. 

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal during his first premiership in 2065 BS had announced to give national recognition to Nepal Sambat.

Similarly, the Newar community also performs Mha Puja today itself. Mha Puja is the day of self-worship. They celebrate Mha Puja on the occasion of Kartik Shukla Pratipada, (first day of the waxing phase of moon in Nepali month of Kartik). 

This year, Kartik Shukla Pratipada has fallen in two days—Monday and Tuesday.

Nepal Sambat was celebrated at some places of Bhaktapur on Monday.  Mha Puja was also observed in Bhaktapur on Monday itself as per the decision of Bhaktapur municipality.

Majority of people in the community across the country are celebrating Nepal Sambat and Mha Puja today. Nepal Calendar Determination Development Committee, however, asked to mark Nepal Sambat and Mha Puja today.