Kukur Tihar 2025: Nepal pays respect to dogs, worships dogs with garlands, flowers; See photos

Nepal celebrated the second day of the Tihar festival, fondly known as Kukur Tihar, on Monday. A festival dedicated to dogs, people across the country pay their respects to their four-legged friends by adoring them and giving them royal treatment. Kukur Tihar 2025 All over Nepal, dogs are worshiped as loyal companions and protectors. They are considered the messengers of Yama, the god of death. From decorating them with garlands to applying vermilion powder (tika) on their foreheads, people also offer flowers and treats to the dogs for their loyalty, courage and special bond with humans. See photos here: Nepal Police celebrates Kukur Tihar At the Dog Division of Nepal Police, the celebration kicked off on a festive note. Service dogs are paraded and honored for their invaluable service. Each dog received wreaths, treats and blessings as officers showcased their skills in various operations and cases. These canine heroes have played an important role in saving lives during disasters, assisting with VVIP security and tracking cases. To recognize their service, the division also awarded medals to top performing dogs in crime detection, evidence recovery and rescue operations. One special dog even earned the title of “Dog of the Year” for his exceptional performance on the team. “Help to catch criminals at large, it’s the dog that helps in the process. Sniff out those who use drugs, it’s the dog that identifies them. Protect homes and offices, chase those who loot or steal from these places,” Mahesh Bhul, an officer with the Dog Department of the Nepal Police, was honored with a special dog post during the event. The Dog Department, which also functions as a training school, organizes this celebration annually. What is Kukur Tihar For many in Kathmandu, Kukur Tihar is more than just a festival; it’s an emotion. Sneha Shrestha, a resident of Kathmandu, echoed similar thoughts by news agency ANI: “Today is Kukur Tihar, and it is one of the most joyous festivals in Kathmandu, where we celebrate dogs for their loyalty and friendship. I think all countries around the world should learn from Nepal to respect dogs and love who they belong to.” Roots of Kukur Tihar Kukur Tihar’s roots run deep in ancient Hindu mythology. According to the news agency, the Rigveda mentions Samara, the mother of dogs, who helped Indra, the ruler of heaven, to recover stolen cattle. In the Mahabharata, a faithful dog is said to have accompanied Dharmaraj Yudhisthir on his journey to heaven, symbolizing loyalty, justice and unwavering devotion. Every year, on the second day of Yama Panchak, Nepalis get up early to worship both pet and stray dogs. The Nepali community in India is also seen celebrating the festival among themselves.