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A 5.9 magnitude (ML) earthquake was felt in various parts of the country at 3 :07 pm on Wednesday. According to the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Center, the epicenter was traced around Tatopani, the Nepal-China border. The tremor was also felt in some parts of India and China.  

The Nepal Calendar Determination Committee has announced 11: 37 am as the auspicious time for receiving and offering Bhai Tika of Tihar festival. This year's Tihar festival is starting from October 22, Saturday with the observance of Yamadeepdan, the offerings of lamps to Yamadeva (the deity of death). The religious belief is that the celebration of Yamadeepadan will prevent the devotee from facing untimely death. Committee Executive Director Surya Prasad Dhungel said Dhantrayodashi (Dhanteras) should also be observed the same day. The Kag Tihar, the festival of crow, falls on October 23 and the Laxmi Puja (worship of Hindu Goddess Laxmi), one of the major celebrations of the Tihar festival, falls on Monday, October 24. The Gai Puja falls on October 25. Cows are worshiped with Hindu rituals on this day. We are observing the Solar eclipse same day, according to him. Gobardhan Puja falls on October 26. OX are worshiped on this day. The Newar community will celebrate the Mha Puja (worship of the self) on the same day.  The day also marks the commencement of the Nepal Sambat 1143. The tika for this year's Tihar festival will be observed on October 27 and sisters and brothers exchange the Saptarangi tika (seven-coloured tika) on the occasion. Sisters put tika on their brothers wishing for their wellbeing and longevity and offer them special Tihar delicacies as well. In return brothers also give the Tika and gifts to their sisters.  The Newar community will celebrate the Kija Puja (Bhai Tika) the same day.  

Four persons died in a tractor accident near Mauwakhola Rural Municipality-4 in Taplejung district on Tuesday. Tractor driver Pasang Sherpa (31) and Furwa Sherpa (24) of Mauwakhola-5 and Sharmeela Sherpa (22) and Laki Sherpa (17) of the same family from Mauwakhola-4 died in the mishap, said Mauwakhola Rural Municipality Chairperson Bijaya Prakash Banem. According to him, all of them died on the spot. He said that the incident occurred when the tractor heading towards Kamsang from Power sub-station ofTellabung fell some 200 meters down the road last night.

Jumla district has started facing shortage of cooking gas and petroleum products due to obstruction of Karnai Highway following incessant rainfall. Consumers have been facing difficulties due to lack of sufficient amounts of cooking gas and petroleum products in the market. Assistant Chief District Officer, Pramila Rijal, said the market has witnessed shortage of petroleum products following disruption of Karnali Highway. A team headed by Deputy Mayor of Chandannath Municipality Ram Devi Khadka and Assistant Chief District Officer Rijal had carried out monitoring of groceries and dealers of petroleum products after receiving the complaint of black marketing in the name of road disruption. Rijal shared that there is a stock of food stuffs and edible oil in the market which is enough for around two months. The team had carried out monitoring of 10 shops. According to the Road Division Office, Jumla, efforts are underway to resume the road as soon as possible.