Every year, the canines in Nepal are celebrated during the Tihar festival. The dogs are given food offerings, draped in garlands from flowers, and blessed with sacred markings.
All dogs, including strays, pets, and police dogs are honored equally because of their devotion as friends and guardians of humanity.
The festival lasts for 5 days and it honors various species that are sacred to them and the second day is entirely dedicated to dogs. The celebration is known as Kukur Puja or ‘worship of dogs’.
Why Are Dogs Being Honored in Nepal?
The Hindu cultures believe that dogs are the messengers of Yamaraj, the God of Death, and that dogs watch over the gates of heaven.
Canines also appear in several ancient Hindu texts and are presented as guardians and vehicles of some deities.
The flower garland that is put on the dogs is called malla. Then, their foreheads are decorated with tikka, a paste made from rice, yogurt, and red powder.
And, the dogs get a lot of treats, including cheese, meat, eggs, biscuits, and quality dog food.
The police dogs of Nepal have additional honoring and are recognized with a special ceremony.
Tihar Festival Is Part of Diwali, the Festival of Lights
Even though every Hindu ethnic group has a different type of celebration, the basics are the same.
The timing of the 5-day-festival is based on the new moon of the Kartika, Hindu month that happens in October or November on the Western calendar.
The other species that are celebrated are crows, oxen, and cows.
On the final day, sisters are honoring their brothers and putting tikka on their foreheads as a wish for a long and happy life.
Below, check out some amazing photos of the animals taken during these celebrations:
Sources: