Nepal celebrates the bond between dogs and humans during Tihar festival

Guwahati: Each year Nepal celebrates the bond between dogs and humans during the Tihar festival. Even this time, the state is ready to celebrate its unique festival called 'Kukur Puja' or 'Kukur Tihar,' which means the worship of dogs.

On this occasion, the lucky pups are presented with food offerings, draped in flower garlands, and blessed with sacred markings. Pets, police dogs, and strays are worshiped equally as devoted friends and guardians of humanity.

The festival lasts for five days and honors several sacred species, while the second day is solely dedicated to dogs.

The thought behind worshiping dogs is that the Hindu culture of Nepal believes dogs are the messengers of Yamaraj, the God of death and that a dog watches over the gates of heaven.

Hindu revelers drape a flower garland around each pup’s neck. They also decorate their foreheads with “talik” or “tikka,” a paste made from red-powder, rice, and yogurt.

They treat the dogs to a feast of fruits, eggs, cheese, meat, biscuits, and high-quality dog food.

Nepal’s police dogs also receive an additional honor when they are recognized with a special ceremony.

It is to be mentioned that the timing of the five-day festival is based on the new moon of the Hindu month Kartika, which occurs in either October or November on the Western calendar.

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