✨ Tihar is here! ✨ One of Nepal’s most colourful and joyful festivals — and what better way to celebrate than with Sel Roti, the crispy, golden rice donut that’s a true festival favourite. This traditional treat is made in almost every Nepali home during Tihar and Dashain, shared with family, friends, and neighbours.
Last year I bought them for $2 a piece — so this time, I decided to make my own! 😋
🌸 Ingredients
2 cups rice flour
1 cup plain (all-purpose) flour
1 cup rice, washed and soaked overnight (drain before grinding)
5 tablespoons sugar (add more if you like it sweeter)
½ cup ghee (clarified butter)
2 cups vegetable oil (for deep frying)
A pinch of salt (optional)
🪔 Equipment
Blender or wet grinder (for soaked rice)
Large mixing bowl
Electric mixer (or whisk)
Deep frying pan or kadai
Funnel (or an empty plastic water bottle cut in half)
Wooden chopsticks or tongs
Paper towels for draining
⏰ Prep Time
Soak rice: overnight (8–12 hours)
Batter rest: 2–4 hours in fridge
Active hands-on time: 30–45 minutes
🍩 Makes
8–12 medium sel rotis (depending on size)
👩🍳 Method
Soak & grind rice
Wash and soak the rice overnight.
Drain the rice and grind it into a semi-coarse paste with just enough water to blend smoothly.
Mix ghee and sugar
In a large bowl, add ghee and sugar.
Beat well with an electric mixer (or whisk) until creamy and smooth.
Add flours
Gradually add the rice flour and plain flour to the ghee-sugar mixture, mixing slowly to combine evenly.
Add rice paste
Pour in the ground rice paste and mix thoroughly with your hands until you have a thick, smooth batter.
The batter should be pourable but not runny — similar to pancake batter consistency.
Rest the batter
Cover and refrigerate for 2–4 hours to allow the texture and flavour to develop.
Prepare for frying
Heat oil in a deep pan over medium heat — not too hot.
To test, drop a little batter into the oil. It should float and sizzle gently, not burn right away.
Shape & fry
Fill your funnel or bottle with batter.
Carefully pour the batter into the hot oil in a circular motion, forming a ring (like a donut).
Once the sel roti rises to the surface and turns golden at the bottom, flip gently with chopsticks or tongs.
Fry until both sides are crispy and golden brown.
Drain & serve
Remove the sel roti and place on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
Repeat for the remaining batter.
🍽️ Serve With
Enjoy warm or at room temperature — delicious on its own or with aloo ko achar (spicy potato pickle), sukuti, or even a cup of hot tea. ☕
This year’s Tihar has been truly special for me. It’s our second biggest festival, and it goes on for five beautiful days filled with light, laughter, music, and togetherness. Since moving to this new place, I’ve been lucky to be surrounded by a wonderful Nepalese community — and celebrating Tihar here has been nothing short of amazing.
Each day of the festival brought its own charm and meaning: ✨ Day 1 – Kaag Tihar (Crow Day): We started by offering food to crows, messengers of Yama, the god of death, to ward off sadness and bad news for the coming year.
🐕 Day 2 – Kukur Tihar (Dog Day): We honoured our loyal friends — dogs — by placing garlands, tika, and delicious treats for them. Seeing everyone’s pets proudly wearing flowers and tikas was heartwarming.
🐄 Day 3 – Gai Tihar and Laxmi Puja: Morning began with worshipping cows, a symbol of prosperity and motherhood. As the evening arrived, we lit up our homes with diyas and candles to welcome Goddess Laxmi. The streets shimmered with light, and the air was filled with laughter, music, and the scent of incense.
👭 Day 4 – Govardhan Puja / Mha Puja: This day felt especially meaningful as we performed Mha Puja — a beautiful ritual of self-purification and self-respect. We celebrated life and energy with our family and neighbours, creating a deep sense of connection and gratitude.
🎶 Day 5 – Bhai Tika: The final day was emotional and full of love — sisters placing tika on their brothers’ foreheads, wishing them long life, happiness, and prosperity.
Throughout these five days, the best part was coming together with our neighbours to play Deusi–Bhailo every evening. We went from house to house singing, dancing, and sharing laughter. Everyone contributed — some cooked, some sang, some played the madal or guitar — and every night ended with food, stories, and joy.
This Tihar reminded me of home — of warmth, light, and community. It wasn’t just a festival; it was a celebration of connection, tradition, and belonging.
Okay fellow Pau (titaura) fans – I have to share this! Just got my hands on some seriously addictive Pau (तितौरा) imported by Swastik Nepal Products, and my tastebuds are doing a happy dance! If you know, you know – and if you don’t, let me introduce you to the OG of Nepali snacks. 😋
🥭 What is Pau / Titaura?
Titaura is a traditional Nepali snack made from seasonal fruits (usually lapsi, aka Nepali hog plum). The fruit is boiled down, mashed, and mixed with a perfect blend of salt, chilli, sugar, lemon, and spices to create these chewy, tangy, spicy little bites of heaven. There are heaps of variations—some are sweet, some are super sour, and some will blow your head off with spice (in the best way, of course 😅).
🔥 Why I’m Obsessed
Growing up, titaura was that go-to snack for road trips, sneaky school breaks, or just chilling with cousins. It’s that nostalgic flavour bomb that reminds you of home. Now living in Australia, I never thought I’d find that same authentic taste again—until this!
Swastik’s Pau is next level. It’s: ✔️ Spicy without being too much ✔️ A bit sour, but not overpowering ✔️ Just sweet enough to balance everything out
Plus, the texture is on point – chewy and sticky in the best way. Trust me, once you open the packet, it’s game over. You will finish it.
If you haven’t tried it yet and you love bold, punchy flavours, give it a go. Perfect with anything or just on its own.
Let’s be real, no matter how far we are from home, there’s something about that mix of chilli and fruit that hits right in the feels.
Tihar, my favourite Nepali festival, has come and gone, leaving behind a glow that warms my heart. Known as the festival of lights, Tihar honours animals, family bonds, and the goddess of wealth, Laxmi. Each day has its own deep meaning, blending spirituality, gratitude, and family love. Living far from Nepal, we’ve found creative ways to keep the spirit of Tihar alive, celebrating these rituals as a bridge to our culture and traditions. Here’s a glimpse into how each day brought us closer to our roots, no matter the miles between us.
Day 1: Kaag Puja – Honoring the Messenger Crow
Tihar begins with Kaag Puja, dedicated to the crow, a symbol of the god Yama’s messenger. Traditionally, we offer food to crows as they’re seen as bearers of news, both good and bad. In Nepal, the sight and sound of crows herald Tihar’s arrival, and this ritual reminds us to respect all forms of life, especially the ones that serve as nature’s messengers.
Here in Australia, I couldn’t find any crows around, so I improvised by using a photo of a crow, setting it up in our home, and offering flowers and sweets. It’s a humble gesture, but it’s also a way to begin the festival with gratitude and respect for life’s simplest messengers.
Day 2: Kukur Puja – Celebrating Man’s Best Friend
Kukur Puja is one of my favourites because it honours dogs, the most loyal and loving animals. In Hindu culture, dogs are seen as guardians, protectors, and friends. On this day, people place a red tika on their dogs’ foreheads, garland them with marigolds, and offer them treats.
I don’t have a dog here, but my family in Nepal has Chhotu, our loyal companion. While I couldn’t be there, I celebrated in spirit by printing his picture, offering a small prayer, and thanking him for watching over my family. It’s a reminder that love transcends distance, even when it comes to our furry friends.
Day 3: Gai Puja and Laxmi Puja – Honouring the Cow and the Goddess of Wealth
Gai Puja is a morning ritual devoted to the cow, a revered animal in Hinduism. Cows represent abundance, nurturing, and sustenance, qualities we cherish. The day begins with offerings of fruits and garlands to cows, showing gratitude for all they give us.
Later, we celebrate Laxmi Puja, dedicated to the goddess of wealth. This is the heart of Tihar, when families light diyos (oil lamps), decorate their homes with rangoli, and prepare for Laxmi’s arrival. In Nepal, a red mud trail is drawn from the doorstep to the altar to welcome Laxmi.
This year, we set up a small altar with a photo of Laxmi and created footprints leading into our home. I added twinkling lights and candles, transforming our space into a sanctuary of warmth and blessings. It’s these small touches that keep Laxmi Puja magical, even far from home.
Day 4: Govardhan Puja and Mha Puja – A Celebration of Self and Community
The fourth day of Tihar, Govardhan Puja, honours the story of Lord Krishna lifting Mount Govardhan to protect his village from a storm. Families create a small mound symbolising the mountain, celebrating nature’s strength and resilience.
For us Newars, this day also marks Mha Puja, a beautiful tradition of self-worship. “Mha” means “body” in the Newar language, and the ritual is about cleansing and honouring oneself as a sacred vessel. We arrange mandaps (small, decorated seats) for each family member, light a diya representing the soul, and offer flowers and grains.
I’m incredibly fortunate to have family here as well, so we were able to celebrate Mha Puja with all the traditional rituals, bringing the spirit of Newar culture to life even far from Nepal. Together, we carefully set up mandaps with grains, fruits, flowers, and oil lamps, making sure every detail echoed our heritage. It was a beautiful opportunity not only to honour the self, as Mha Puja represents, but also to pass down these customs to our kids, who were eager to learn. As we went through each step, I explained the meaning behind the rituals, sharing stories about our ancestors and why we celebrate Mha Puja. The kids loved participating and adding their own touches, making it a fun, memorable day filled with laughter, learning, and togetherness. Celebrating this tradition abroad felt like creating a bridge between generations, where they can appreciate the values we hold dear and, hopefully, carry them forward.
Also on this day we celebrate Nepal Sambat, the traditional Newar New Year, is a significant celebration of Newar culture and heritage. This unique lunar calendar, which traces its roots back to 880 AD, holds deep historical and cultural significance for the Newar community, an indigenous group from the Kathmandu Valley. Nepal Sambat is celebrated with enthusiasm, as it marks not only the New Year but also the enduring spirit of unity and resilience. The Newars, known for their rich art, architecture, and festivals, embrace Nepal Sambat as a time for cultural renewal. During this period, Newar families honour their heritage by participating in rituals, gatherings, and traditional feasts. The celebration of Nepal Sambat exemplifies the vibrant Newar culture, highlighting values of family, community, and continuity, while paying homage to a history of independence and cultural pride.
Day 5: Bhai Tika – Strengthening the Sibling Bond
The last day of Tihar is Bhai Tika, a day to celebrate the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters place a tika on their brothers’ foreheads, wishing them long life and protection. In return, brothers offer gifts as a symbol of their love and promise to protect their sisters.
I feel incredibly lucky to have my brother here with me to celebrate Bhai Tika, bringing the spirit of Tihar even closer to home. This special day is all about the love, blessings, and lifelong bond we share. Here are some highlights from our celebration – from the tika, tradition garland and masala to exchanging gifts and laughter, every moment felt like a cherished tradition we’ve carried with us.
Deusi-Bhailo Traditions
Traditionally, people celebrate with Deusi and Bhailo, lively songs sung to bless each home in exchange for treats, bringing joy and unity as groups go door-to-door singing.
We’re fortunate to live in a neighborhood that embraces these traditions, filling our celebrations with warmth and connection. Alongside all the delicious feasting, we were blessed to be part of a community where Deusi-Bhailo thrives.
This year, we had groups of seniors, adults, and children stopping by to play Deusi-Bhailo, filling our home with song, laughter, and festive spirit.
Wishing everyone celebrating Nepal Sambat a joyous and prosperous new year! Tihar reminds me that home is wherever our heart and traditions are, and no matter how far we go, we carry these festivals with us. Here’s to another year filled with light, love, and togetherness.
The last few days have been a whirlwind of fun, family, and festivities as we’ve been busy celebrating Dashain, one of the most cherished festivals in our culture. It’s always a time of togetherness, where we come together with friends and family to share joy, laughter, and of course, delicious food!
From Tika and Jamara to playing cards and eating delicious food, the spirit of Dashain has been in full swing. We’ve enjoyed the beautiful rituals, reconnected with family, and created unforgettable memories. Here are some glimpses of our celebrations – filled with love, blessings, and happiness.
nepaliaustralian 