Nepal Celebrates Kukur Tihar As Dogs Receive Garlands, Tika And Feasts

Nepal Celebrates Dog Festival ‘Kukur Tihar’

While Diwali is celebrated in many parts of the world with lights, sweets and fireworks, neighbouring Nepal observes a special day dedicated to dogs during the same festival period. Known as ‘Kukur Tihar’, the celebration honours dogs with affection, respect and gratitude.

Kukur Tihar was celebrated in Nepal on 8 November with great love and devotion. The festival is also known as the dog festival. On this day, dogs are recognised as loyal companions of human beings, and people express their appreciation for the affection, protection and companionship they provide.

Dogs Decorated With Garlands And Tika

During Kukur Tihar, dogs are adorned with garlands made of marigold flowers. A red tika of abir is applied to their foreheads. They are then offered special food, including meat, milk, eggs and other delicacies. People also perform aarti for the dogs as part of the celebrations.

The respect shown during the festival is not limited to pet dogs. Stray and homeless dogs living on the streets are also fed and decorated with flower garlands. People apply tika to them and show affection and respect towards them.

Kukur Tihar is part of Nepal’s five-day Hindu festival of Tihar, which is celebrated in a manner similar to Diwali in India. According to Hindu beliefs, dogs are regarded as messengers of Yamaraj, the god of death, and as guardians of the doorway. The belief is that worshipping dogs pleases Yamaraj.

The tradition is also linked to the Mahabharata. According to the story, a dog stays with Yudhishthir, the eldest among the Pandavas, until the final stage of his journey to heaven. At the end, the dog reveals himself as Yamaraj. The story is considered a powerful symbol of loyalty, righteousness and devotion.

Police Dogs Also Honoured

This year, Kukur Tihar was celebrated on the third day of the Tihar festival instead of the traditional second day because of a change in the lunar calendar.

The Nepal Police also marked the occasion in a special way at its Central Dog Training Centre in Kathmandu. Trained police dogs demonstrated their abilities in running, obstacle races and other exercises involving their sniffing skills.

The contribution of these dogs to crime investigations, security operations, and search and rescue work was also recognised. The police dogs were honoured with medals during the event.

Special scenes were also witnessed in Lalitpur and Bhaktapur during Kukur Tihar. Dogs in these places were presented with flower garlands, had tika applied to their foreheads and were fed special dishes.

Several foreign tourists also took part in the unique and touching tradition. They were seen taking photographs with the dogs during the celebrations.

Kukur Tihar is more than a religious tradition. It is a day to express gratitude towards the voiceless companions who give human beings unconditional love, protection and a sense of belonging.