On October 31, people across Nepal celebrated dogs on the auspicious occasion of Kukur Puja. The celebration takes place on the second day of the Tihar festival. On this day, people offer flower garlands and treats to pets and stray dogs to show their respect. They also put vermillion marks on the dogs’ heads to honor them. Moreover, pet dog owners, along with other individuals, perform rituals during Kukur Puja.
Nepal’s Armed Police Force honors service dogs on Kukur Tihar festival
Kukur Puja, which means the worshipping of dogs, is a celebration of canines to honor and celebrate them. It is held all around Nepal at the time of the Tihar festival, or Diwali. On Thursday, the Armed Police Force personnel showed their heartfelt respect to their service dogs at the Armed Police Force canine center in the capital city of Kathmandu.
At the canine center, the personnel lined up around eight service dogs to perform the rituals for the Kukur Puja. The dogs sat with flower garlands on their necks and vermillion marks on their heads put on by their handlers. Later, the canines showed off their skills by jumping through rings of fire, standing on their hind legs on command, fetching, and more.
As per AP News, the canine division’s deputy branch chief, Ram Narayan KC, expressed his gratitude for the four-legged companions, saying, “Today, we honor these dogs for their invaluable contributions, as they determinedly assist in keeping us safe.” Explaining their contribution, the deputy branch chief added that the dogs have assisted the police in detecting explosives and rescuing people during natural disasters.
The Tihar festival lasts five days and starts with the worship of crows. Then, it is followed by worshipping dogs and cows once again. The last two days of the festival see the worship of Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, and the celebration of brother and sister bonds.
