This coloured powder is used in most, if not all, religious ceremonies – not only cows, but dogs, other farm animals, crows (if you can catch them!!) and vehicles are blessed at Tihar. On the most important day of the festival, bhai tika (brother's day) brothers and sisters also bless each other by using this powder to paint elaborate designs on each other’s foreheads. Sisters make sweets and food for their brothers and brothers give gifts of money and clothes.