Deusi Bhailo Lyrics: The Classic Tihar Songs Every Nepali Home Knows

Every Tihar, Nepal's streets fill with singing groups going door to door — Deusi (sung by male groups) and Bhailo or Bhailini (sung by female groups). Here are the full traditional lyrics in Roman Nepali, so anyone can sing along — plus what the songs mean and how the call-and-response works.

Deusi song — sung by the boys' group

The lead singer calls the verses; everyone answers "Ai deusire…" after each verse. Sing it with a steady drum-and-cymbal beat.

What it means: the song travels through Kathmandu — Basantapur's pond, the Tudikhel parade ground, the "house of little Sita", old Singha Darbar — ending with the blessing of the red tika and the tilhari pendant that marks the festival.

Bhailo / Bhailini song — sung by the girls' group

Sung on Laxmi Puja night. The whole group joins on "Bhana bhana Deusi re".

What it means: "Bhailini has come to your courtyard — dance and play tonight under the moon; Dashain and Tihar have arrived, celebrate beautifully." It invites the household to join the singing and give sel roti, sweets and coins as blessings.

How the singing works

• Bhailo night (Laxmi Puja): girls' and women's groups sing at doorways; families light diyos and wait with offerings.
• Deusi night (Govardhan / Mha Puja): boys' and men's groups carry the drum (madal), cymbals and a leader who improvises extra verses — the same choruses keep everyone in sync.
• The offering: households give sel roti, sweets, fruit and dakshina; the group blesses the home for the year.
• In Australia: community groups run organised Deusi Bhailo visits — see our events calendar and the Tihar guide for dates near you.

More Tihar reading: Bhai Tika guide · Bhai Tika sahit times worldwide · Festival dates on the Nepali Patro.