Nepal Honors Dogs in Kukur Tihar Festival

Nepal is celebrating Kukur Tihar, the day devoted to dogs, by adorning them with garlands and feeding them special treats. The festival, part of the five-day Tihar or Yama Panchak, reflects the country’s deep reverence for loyalty and life’s guardians.

Although usually marked on the second day of Tihar, this year’s celebration falls on the third due to shifts in the lunar calendar, according to the Nepal Panchang Nirnayak Development Committee. Rooted in Hindu mythology, the festival pays tribute to dogs believed to guard the gates of the afterlife for Yamaraj, the god of death.

Devotees believe that feeding dogs on this day ensures protection and a smooth passage to the next life. Images across Nepal show pet and stray dogs alike being worshipped — their foreheads marked with tika, necks adorned with marigold garlands, and plates of food placed before them.

Religious scholars trace the ritual to the Mahabharata, where a faithful dog accompanies King Yudhishthira to heaven — a symbol of devotion and righteousness. The day also coincides with Naraka Chaturdashi, when early morning baths and oil rituals are believed to cleanse sins and promote health.

For many Nepalis, Kukur Tihar is not only about faith — it’s about kindness, compassion, and celebrating one of humanity’s oldest friendships.