The first day of Tihar is called Kaag (crow) Tihar or क्वः पूजा. Crows are believed to be the messengers of the death god, Yamaraj. The cawing of crows is associated with sadness and grief in Hinduism as these birds are believed to carry messages from Yamaraj. By feeding the crows, devotees hope to appease them and avert the death and grief for at least the next year.