BHAKTAPUR:With the festival of Tihar approaching, vendors in the Gundu area of Bhaktapur have begun harvesting velvet flowers (locally known as makhmali) for sale.

On the day of Bhai Tika, sisters will offer their brothers garlands made of these velvet flowers, along with applying the traditional seven-coloured tika.

The garland is especially valued because the velvet flowers are believed to never wither — and that the wearing of such a garland will bring long life and prosperity to the brother.