Celebrating The Dogs

The Nepalese celebrate their relationship with dogs in a very special way, through a yearly festival called Tihar. This festival pays homage to their animal friends, particularly those who share special relationships with humans. The second day of this celebration places focus on their canine friends.

Pets Team 29 June 2015

Nepalese dogs are celebrated in a very special, beautiful way. Annually, they celebrate a Hindu festival called Tihar, which places focus on the relationships between humans, the gods, and especially animals around them, such the raven, or cow, and the dog.

The second day of this festival, Kukur Puja, also known as Diwali, worships dogs, who are believed to be messengers of the God of Death. The people offer food to the dogs, decorate them with marigold garlands and vermilion tika – a colorful powder of paste spread on their foreheads or on their paws, to show a divine relationship between humans and animals, as well as pay their respects to their four-legged friends.

Additionally, security dogs often play an important role during Tihar, and their handlers often bless them in similar ways to acknowledge their canine partners.

(Image sources: usatoday.com, acethehimalaya.com, @Radewojnar/Dreamstime.com)