Kukur Tihar: Nepal’s Annual Dog Worshipping Festival

In Mexico, they celebrate the Day Of The Dead.

In Nepal, they celebrate the Day Of The Dog. 

Tihar, also known as the Festival of Lights and Nepal’s version of Diwali, is a five-day Hindu celebration filled with worship, festivities, and family gatherings. During this festival, the Nepali people honor various animals, deities, and family members, all of whom hold a significant role in the Hindu faith. Each festival day is marked by a distinct theme dedicated to these important figures, celebrating the roles they play in both the physical world and life after death.

Dogs throughout Nepal are given flower garlands to wear during the Kukur Tihar Dog festival.

The 5-day Tihar festival begins with Kaag Tihar, a day dedicated to the worship of crows. Throughout the next several days, cows, oxen, and various gods are also celebrated. The festival culminates in a final day, Bhai Tika, where brothers and sisters celebrate their special bond by exchanging gifts and expressing their feelings toward one another. In Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, the streets fill with people, music, and elaborate displays of decorations, including flower garlands, shimmering lights, and Rangoli patterns made of colorful sand. It’s nearly impossible to walk around the ancient streets of Kathmandu during Tihar and not be consumed by countless people participating in the nearly-week-long celebration. 

Among all the days of Tihar, however, Kukur Tihar—the second day of the festival—stands out as particularly special. This is the Day of the Dog, a day dedicated to honoring the canine companions that play an important role in the lives of Nepali people.

A dog takes a rest at Patan Durbar Sqaure in Kathmandu during Kukur Tihar.

On Kukur Tihar, both household pets and street dogs alike are celebrated throughout Kathmandu and across Nepal. Nearly every dog is adorned with garlands of marigold flowers and marked with tika—a mixture of red powder and yogurt—on their foreheads. This is a mark of respect and blessing, similar to the tika given to humans during Tihar and other sacred Hindu events. In addition to these symbolic gestures, dogs are offered special treats such as meat, fruits, and sweets. On this special day, people express their gratitude by praising dogs, petting them, and even offering prayers for their health and happiness. It is a day when dogs are celebrated for the important role they occupy in the lives of the people of Nepal, receiving an outpouring of reverence and affection that extends throughout the country. During Kukur Tihar, it is considered a great sin to treat a dog poorly at any point during the day. Even raising your voice at a furry friend may subject you to the wrath of the gods.

A dog wearing a traditional “Tika” marking in its forhead.

In Hindu mythology, dogs are closely associated with Yama, the god of death, who is said to be accompanied by dogs as he guides souls to the afterlife. Dogs are also seen as guardians of the home and protectors of human beings. By honoring them during Kukur Tihar, Nepali people express deep gratitude for the loyalty dogs have in both life and the afterlife: protecting them during their time on earth and guiding them once they leave it.

In the Hindu faith, dogs are seen as protectors in both life and the afterlife. 

Tihar is one of the most significant festivals in Nepal and, like Diwali in India, it is a time for families to come together, celebrate, and share in the spirit of light and joy. The streets are filled with music, dancing, and laughter, while every corner bursts with color and an infectious energy that radiates throughout the country. For visitors to Nepal during this time, it’s an extremely rewarding experience to see Nepali Hindu culture during a time of unity and celebration. As for the dogs of Nepal, Kukur Tihar is a particularly special moment for them to feel loved, honored, and appreciated as "man's best friend."

During the Nepal festival for dogs, it is considered a sin to treat a dog poorly. 

Kukur Tihar can be seen on the second day of the Tihar festival, which falls between mid-October and mid-November annually. All 5 days of the festival can be seen across Nepal but the best place to celebrate Tihar, and Kukur Tihar, is in Kathmandu.