Families nation-wide celebrated Laxmi puja by worshipping Laxmi the goddess of wealth Wednesday night on the second day of Tihar. The burst of firecrackers in the night sent scared dogs scurrying under the cover of cots.

Firecrackers were bursting in the city’s night sky aplenty despite a ritual official ban on them. There were frequent power failures in the city in the evening as the Nepal Electricity Authority could not cope with the additional demand for electricity to light homes and commercial establishments.

Florists were doing brisk business selling marigold and makhmali garlands. The city was bright,colourful and noisy. Groups went around the town singing songs asking for bhailo in the evening.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba greeted the nation Wednesday with a happy Tihar message of peace, happiness and wealth.

The dogs had their day Wednesday morning. People worshipped and fed their pets or neighbour’s dogs Wednesday morning on the day kukkur or dog tihar.