Kukur Tihar Festival: The Hindu Tradition of Dog Worship in Nepal

Aradhya loves sharing information about wildlife, animals and pets—especially dogs.

Dogs have been man's best friend for centuries, who are admired for their devotion and honesty. This is the occasion when they are admired and worshiped like God, Celebrated every year in the month of October to November at the same time as the festival of Ram Navami, Dussehra.

KUKUR TIHAR

The Occasion To Worship the Dog

Kukur Tihar festival is celebrated every year in the month of October to November at the same time as the festival of Diwali. According to the beliefs of the Hindu religion, it is a worship the Lord of death Yama. Lord Yama is believed to be the messenger of death. During this festival, Nepalese Hindus pay respect to the social animals, dogs, cows and cows.

The Dog Faith in Hinduism

The presence of dogs in the history of Hinduism dates back to 400 BC. The description of dogs is found in many mythological stories of Hindu religion, they are admired for their loyalty and well appreciated for their sincerity and dedication.

• According to the Hindu holy book Rigveda, dogs are the guardian and messenger of Yama, the lord and judge of the death.
• Samara: The mother of Dogs - Assisted the Lord Indra, the King of Heaven in retrieving the Stolen cattle.
• According to the Hindu belief, dogs guard the gates of afterlife.

TIHAR FESTIVAL

The Tihar Festival of Nepal is a 5 day festival of light, celebrated with great enthusiasm by the Hindus. During this festival, Nepalese people light diyas and lights inside and outside their homes, During this festival, Nepalese people light Diya's and lights inside and outside their homes, and regards their adorable lord and social animals.

Diwali is a festival of 5 days in Nepal, and the "Tihar Celebration" starts from the second day of this festival.

The Five Days Tihar Festival Celebration schedules

• Day 1^st: KAG PUJA - The worship, to regard crows.
• Day 2^nd: KUKUR TIHAR - The worship, to regard Dog.
• Day3rd: DIWALI (Laxmi Puja) - The worship, to regard Cow.
• Day 4^th: BAHAR,- The worship and celebration on occasion of, first day of Nepalese New Year, Govardhan Puja.
• Day 5^th: BHAI TIKA - This day of the year is dedicated to, respect the relationship of brother and sister.

KUKUR TIHAR FESTIVAL

The name kukur Tihar Festival is the combination of two Hindi/Nepali Words.

KUKUR : Means - Dog (English) AND Kutta (Hindi)
TIHAR: Means - Festival (English) AND Tyohar (Hindi)

KUKUR TIHAR Means DOG FESTIVAL. KUKUR TIHAR Festival is also known as,

• KUKUR TIHAR
• KUKUR PUJA
• KHICHA PUJA

KUKUR TIHAR FESTIVAL CELEBRATION

Kukur Puja or Kukur Tihar is the most adorable festival in Nepal, when dogs have their day. Nepalese Police also joins this wonderful tradition and they demonstrate their dog to the public. It has three stages TIKA, AARATI and PRASAD. The celebration is not limited up to domestic or pet dog only, they treat all the dogs in the country even stray and wild dogs also having their best time.

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Three Stages of KUKUR PUJA (Dog Worship) of KUKUR TIHAR FESTIVAL

1. TIKA and FLOWER

First, they wash and clean their pet dogs and then they trace a dash of vermillion paste on their forehead as a sign of holiness and blessing. Even they trace the paste to stray dogs also. And then they put flowers around dog's neck.

2. PAMPER and AARTI

Once when dogs are traced with a dash of vermillion paste and showered with flowers. They will be treated, pampering and shown kindness. Also an Aarti will be conducted in their respect.

3. PRASAD and FOOD

And now, Today will be a day when dog will have free access to all the eatables that ever they like and also will be treated with their favorite dishes and dog foods. Also, they gave food to the entire Stray and free roaming dogs staying around the houses in the streets. Nepali Hindus believe this will bring a good luck for them and god of death will be kind to them.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2016 ARADHYA

Comments

ARADHYA (author) on April 20, 2017:

You are welcome!

Definitely you will like the festival and can have a good adventures trip,

And Also in budget :)

Cooper Harrison from San Francisco, CA on April 20, 2017:

Wow, I'd love to go see one of these festivals!