QUICK TAKE | Why Nepal Puts Garlands on Dogs for Kukur Tihar. Seven Things to Know

1. What is Kukur Tihar?

It is the second day of Tihar, Nepal’s five-day festival of lights. Kukur means dog in Nepali. The day follows Kaag Tihar, when people honour crows, and gives dogs their own place in the festival’s sequence of rituals.

2. What do people do for the dogs?

They place flower garlands around their necks, put a vermilion tika on their foreheads and offer them food. The ritual extends to street dogs as well as household pets. A dog can receive a garland and a meal from people it has never met.

3. What do dogs have to do with Yama?

In the tradition behind Tihar, dogs are regarded as agents of Yama, the Hindu god of death. The crow honoured on the first day is regarded as his messenger. The Nepal Tourism Board describes both rituals as part of a festival that also honours Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth.

4. Where does the Mahabharata come in?

A dog accompanies Yudhishthira on his final journey. When offered passage to heaven, he refuses to go without his companion. The dog then reveals himself as Dharma, who has been testing Yudhishthira’s conduct. The episode gives the festival another way to think about loyalty, including what people owe the animals that stay with them.

5. How do Nepal Police celebrate?

The force’s canine unit holds an annual ceremony for its service dogs. This year, visitors watched the dogs parade and demonstrate skills used to find evidence and assist in investigations. The unit also honours dogs trained for jobs such as detecting narcotics and searching for survivors.

6. Why did Leo get a medal?

Nepal Police named Leo its best canine this year for his search-and-rescue work after the August Bhotekoshi floods. He received his medal at the canine unit’s Kukur Tihar ceremony.

7. Did tourists come specifically for Kukur Tihar?

Some did. Gerome, a visitor who attended the police ceremony, told ANI he had travelled to Nepal specifically for the celebration. Another visitor, Jane, said she was struck by the connection between the dogs and their handlers.