20 Facts About Dog Festival (Kukur Puja) of Tihar You May Not Know

Dog festival of Nepal { Kukur Tihar } :- The Dog Festival of Nepal is considered as one of the unique festivals in the world. The dog festival is observed on the day of Dashain, which is the day that marks the end of the rainy season in Nepal.

As per the climatic condition, this is considered the best day to observe the festival as rain makes the landscape look more beautiful. Moreover, it is regarded as the best time for tourists to enjoy the beauty of nature.

Dog festival was born during the early years of the Himalayas as a blessing and worship for the Gods. It is believed that the ancient people held these rituals as proof of their gratitude and love for the Dogs as Gods. After the monsoon season finished, the local people of Himalayas gathered together to pray for the harvesing season’s coming.

This dog festival is considered as one of the best day for the people of Nepal. This is the day when people come out with many dogs to the temple to offer prayers. People make lots of offerings like dog meat, milk, yogurt, and fruit during this festive time. There are different types of dogs available at the dog festival, but it depends on the dog’s age, breed, and size. These offerings are then distributed among different groups of people. Even Government of Nepal officially honour the dogs at this day celebrating a festival.

Some dogs perform dancing and other animals that perform dances in the temple during this festival. The people also make offerings of flowers and small cakes to the Dogs as Gods for this festival. The priests and people associated with the temple give gifts like sweets to the people who have the best dogs. They are then able to bring good luck to the people.

There are various types of decorations available at the festival. People can buy them to enhance the beauty of the festival. Different types of colors are used to make the festival more beautiful.

They also take a bath at the bathing places during this festival to wash their dogs and clean their faces.

The food provided during this festival is different from other celebrations too, as the dog meat and rice is the main staple of this festival. So this festival is very much different from the usual festivity where food is provided. The festival is a true blessing for the local people, and it is an expression of gratitude to the Gods.

Worshiping Dogs

The worship of dogs has become a very important part of Nepalese culture. It is a common practice today to welcome and take a dog with you on holiday. There are various dog related festivities such as Christmas dog and Easter dog hunts where people show off their dogs in a very festive way.

Even the US Navy has a tradition of welcoming the dog with a bath and then giving it a good watch over a ship. It is also common for those who own dogs to take them with them on trips to ensure they are well taken care of.

While it is true that some people have become dog lovers out of a desire to own a pet, others don’t know that there are even dogs to worship. If you are one of those who don’t even realize that dogs have souls or even that they deserve any respect from anyone, you should reconsider the following. Dogs do deserve respect.

Dog worship has been around for thousands of years and is believed to be a form of divination. According to some cultures, dogs can predict bad things about the owner.

When dogs bark excessively during a storm, the owner’s heart is said to be sick, and his body is likely to die soon. This is true when storms are strong and not so much if the winds are light. These are not isolated incidents.

Worshiping dogs has also become a popular hobby for many people today. Many dog enthusiasts choose to get a dog as a pet and take them on special occasions such as weddings and birthdays.

Some people choose to get a dog for the sole purpose of having a dog as a pet at home. If you consider getting a dog as a pet but are not yet sure if you would like one or not, you should consider some essential things before doing so. First of all, a dog is a living creature, and it cannot just be thrown away after one time.

Another thing to consider is the age of your dog. If you plan to get a dog as a pet for yourself, it would be wise to get a puppy. Puppies are easy to look after and usually need less care than older dogs.

On the other hand, if you intend to take a dog with you on a trip, you might want to get an older dog. A dog can be quite expensive, especially if you plan to get an older breed. If you want a dog for a child, you may want to consider getting a more expensive breed that is easy to care for.

Finally, you should know that you will have to sacrifice and ask for God’s help no matter what breed you get a dog from a vet. Some dogs are very allergic to certain things, and you will need to have the necessary vaccinations.

You should also know that while God created dogs to serve mankind, they can serve other purposes. Just because your dog is a dog doesn’t mean that it is exempt from serving its purpose and being useful to the world.

A Few Reasons to Own a Dog

The advantages of owning a pet are many and include many advantages. There are so many reasons to own a pet, but we’ll focus on just a few benefits.

Dogs make great friends – They’re great companions and make great friends. It’s not uncommon for a dog to bark at the mailman or a neighbor’s dog. Dogs help you create great new friends by keeping your neighbors happy and your mailman from barking at all hours of the day or night.

Dogs love attention – You don’t have to get up in the morning to get a dog to wake up or to get them to get up to go outside. Dogs love to get a lot of attention, but they don’t require that much. You can even train your dog to do some of the chores around the house for you if you want to!

Dogs love exercise – They’re great pets for people who don’t have the time to get outside. They’re great companions for people who need a daily dose of exercise. Dogs are great for joggers, runners, people who live alone in apartments, and people who need a regular dose of physical activity. Many owners of dog trainers claim that dogs can help improve your health.

It’s not hard to see why having a dog is a great decision. Just be sure to research your dog thoroughly before buying one, as you will want to find the right dog for your home. There are plenty of great pet stores online that will show you many of the benefits of having a dog around the house.

Just remember that you can do many other things to keep your home clean and safe with having a dog around. For example, you can always put a plastic bag over your puppy’s head when they are in the house and give them a blanket.

Many dogs like to chew on furniture, so make sure you regularly clean all of the surfaces in your home. You can also put a collar around your dog whenever you are not home, so they know where you are and that they cannot come into contact with your home.

Many reasons are owning a dog is excellent for the health of your family. However, you do want to make sure that you have the right dog for the right environment. Your veterinarian will be able to help you determine what the best dog is for your family and your home.

The above reasons are just a few of the many reasons that are owning a dog is excellent. Hopefully, these tips have given you a little insight into how well having a dog can benefit your family.

Why Having A Dog Is Great

If you are considering getting a pet, chances are, one of the main benefits of having a dog is the many benefits of having a dog around the house. Dogs are great companions and make wonderful friends for you.

They can even teach you valuable lessons such as compassion, obedience, and love. When you own a dog, you are essentially responsible for their health, safety, well being, as well as their love and happiness.

A lot of people choose a dog just because they want a companion to love them unconditionally. Dogs also make great friends and teach you important life lessons, such as love, trust, responsibility, and loyalty. Because you are their best friend, you must take care of them by taking care of their food, grooming, playtime, bathing, and sleeping schedule.

You must be willing to spend time with your dog every day or night, as this will not only make them happy and healthy, but it will also show them that you genuinely care about them.

One of the most significant benefits of having a dog is that they are very obedient. These dogs are trained to do what they are told and follow their master’s commands. They are usually very loving and will try their best to please their owners.

Another huge benefit of owning a dog is that they are extremely clean. Most dogs will have their designated area of the house, and this is where you can expect to see your dog the most. Dogs will often be in their favorite spot of the house, but if you decide to have their place, you will need to provide it for them.

If you can provide it for them, they will feel as if they are part of the family, and they will enjoy the benefits that come along with being part of the family.

Another significant advantage of owning a dog is that they are very trainable. You can teach them anything from simple commands to advanced tricks with ease because dogs are very intelligent.

They can be trained to obey basic commands such as sit and stay just as easily as you can train your children to respond to simple commands. Many dog training websites offer training tips and techniques for beginners and advanced trainees.

There are a large number of benefits that come along with having a dog. You have the added benefit of spending more time with your dog, which can mean more bonding time together, and time spent out of doors and outdoors.

Dogs are great companions for the entire family because they do not only enjoy playing with you; they enjoy playing with each other as well. Also, they can get exercise just like you do because you do not have to go on walks every single day.

The great thing about owning a dog is that you will not need to bring food for them when you leave your house because they are an excellent companion to take with you wherever you go.

No matter what type of dog you choose to get, no doubt, having a dog will provide you with a lifetime of enjoyment and a chance to spend quality time with your pet.

No matter what type of dog you decide on, make sure you take good care of it and give them the proper amount of love and attention that they deserve. Your dog is part of your family, and so are you!

The Benefits Of Having A Dog Around The House

Benefits of Having a Pet Dog You are the only person that can decide if you want to be a dog owner or not. Pets are a good source of companionship and love. Children and older adults both can feel very close to a pet dog.

Adults benefit from having a pet dog because it can keep them active and occupied. The elderly especially find their company useful because it helps them get around and reduce loneliness and depression.

Children also benefit because they feel more secure when around their pets. These are all reasons that the benefits of having a pet dog around the home outweigh the drawbacks. The only drawback is that owning a pet dog can be costly, and some people might not have the time to care for one.

When deciding to get a pet dog, consider a few things before making the decision. First, you need to decide how much time and money you can spend caring for your dog. Second, you need to decide if you want a breed of dog or a mix of breeds.

Finally, it would help if you decided what breed you would like to have. There are many breeds of dogs out there, and they each have different characteristics. Knowing what qualities a dog has been important to decide what type of dog you want to have.

One of the main benefits of having a pet dog is the emotional support they provide. You will find yourself more comfortable in general with your dog because you can always count on them to be there for you and to provide comfort to you.

Another benefit is that the dog is more relaxed around children and will not snap at them as much. Also, they will not snap at other pets or other humans. This can help you feel less threatened and more at ease.

Another benefit is that you will enjoy being outdoors more with your dog because you do not have to worry about him, causing any trouble. This can lead to you going out more and socialize with other people.

Finally, dogs will relieve stress in your life. They will alleviate your anxiety and prevent you from being too nervous about anything or anyone in particular.

They will also help reduce the amount of noise that you hear. {in your neighborhood. They will also help protect you from dangerous situations and make it easier to take your children safely to the stores and places that you usually take them to.

These are just a few benefits of having a dog around the house, but there are so many more that I have not included here. If you want to learn more about the topic, you can find many sources on the internet. You can also find books about dogs and get more information online.

There is no reason why you cannot benefit from having a pet in your home. You will have fun, relieve stress, and be able to give your child peace of mind while they are out of their school year.

About Dog Festival (Kukur Puja) in Tihar You May Not Know

Here is an article with photo about Kukur tihar in Deepawali festival of Nepal. Tihar ( तिहार in the Nepali language) is the 2^nd biggest festival of Nepal. After Dashain, Tihar is the major and important festival of Nepal.

Tihar is also known as Deepawali in Terai region of Nepal and Deepawali and Diwali in India. Tihar / Deepawali / Diwali is a five-day long Hindu and Buddist festival celebrated in Nepal. Tihar comes 20 days after Dashain festival (from the day of Dashami) of Nepal.

Tihar / Deepawali / Diwali starts with Kaag Puja (worship of crow) and ends with Bhai Tika. The 2nd day of Tihar is Kukur Tihar, a day to respect and worship the dog.

The Nepali celebration Tihar is likewise referred to by many names, for example, Dipawali or Bhai Tika or Laxmi Puja or as a celebration of lights.

It is a five-day celebration, which comes not long after the Dashain Festival, and Tihar is tied in with worshiping of various creatures, for example, crow, dog, dairy animals, and worshiping of the Hindu Goddess of Fortune or Wealth (Goddess Laxmi), and cooking awesome suppers at home, siblings and sisters looking for blessings, flying kites, beautifying homes and roads, playing cards with companions, resting and unwinding, lastly finishing the celebration with a trade of a unique transitory stamp on temple (Tika in Nepali).

The most recent day of the celebration is known as Tika day or prominently known as Bhai Tika day (Bhai in Nepali means Brother). To total up Tihar celebration, Tihar is the celebration when sisters wish a long life to their siblings (Bhai)!

Tihar is a celebration for siblings and sisters, however, what in the event that you are a sibling without a sister without a sibling. Indeed, you can influence one by tolerating somebody to near you in your relatives. In the case of nothing works, you discover one among your companions and neighbors, it turns out to be near as though it was genuine.

Whomever you made your sister or sibling remain so forever, and every year this celebration makes your bond more grounded. Tihar is a celebration of sisters wishing a long life to their siblings, and Tihar is the most prominent celebration in Nepal. So clutch your topi (cap), heaps of energy and fun are coming at you now!

There are five days in the Hindu celebration of lights called Diwali, or Tihar, as it is known by Nepalese local people. Everyday commends an alternate creature, and November tenth, the second day of the celebration, respects dogs.

They are improved and given a devour fit for eminence – even road dogs! Diwali is commended with blazes, candles, pixie lights, Diyas (conventional earthen lights), and Rangolis (customary floor craftsmanship). Loved ones assemble, sharing their satisfaction, nourishment, and blessings with each other.

The second day, Kukur Tihar (Khichā Pujā) is put aside for dogs, which are accepted to be envoys of the Lord Yamaraj, the divine force of death. Yamaraj is said to have two dogs – Shyam and Sadal – that monitor the passageway to hellfire.

There is an extremely uncommon connection amongst individuals and dogs, as they were one of the primaries tamed creatures, so they are brightened with festoons and Tika (stamps on the brow), which makes each of them holy and enables them to favor every one of those they experience on this day. They are dealt with to piles of flavorful nourishment. Pets and road dogs alike are honored and spoiled for the duration of the day.

“Every dog has its day” is a popular quote that we all come across in our daily lives. In Nepal, this quote is put into practice every year on a special day dedicated to dogs known as “Kukur Tihar.” Etymologically, the word “Kukur” is a Nepali word which means “a dog.”

And, Tihar is the second largest festival of Nepal also referred to as Yama Panchak/Deepawali which is celebrated in the month of November every year and is identified as the ‘festival of lights.

How is Kukur Tihar celebrated?

Kukur Tihar is the second day of the festival wherein dogs are worshiped as the protectors of the house. On this auspicious occasion, dogs are worshiped as gods. The festival does not apply to domestic dogs only.

Even the dogs working in public service as well as the street dogs are worshiped on this day. People put Tika (a red mark on the forehead that symbolizes celebration and victory) and offer garlands (also referred to as “Maala” in Nepali) to dogs in order to honor their essence in human lives.

Also, the dogs are offered with delicious foods as a form of gratitude to cherish the precious bond between humans and dogs.

The Dog’s Festival in Nepal is an annual occasion where the people of Nepal have come together to celebrate the dogs’ life and culture. This festival, held at the second day of the Tihar festival, gives importance to the dogs and their role in the village. The festival has been celebrated in different parts of the country for many years. The festival is celebrated on the occasion of Nepal’s dog, a legend that has been told about in the village.

During the Tihar festival in Nepal, people celebrate the love and affection of dogs towards humans. In many cases, it is the love that these dogs have shown towards their master during the whole year.

The festival is dedicated to the great loyalty of the dogs as the God.

The Dog is the chief things of the Tihar festival. These dogs are the festival’s true icons as they bring the festival spirit alive with their presence. They are the ones responsible for introducing the dogs of Nepal to the world. A new breed of dog is presented to the people every year to mark the occasion.

Dog is the main celebrant of the second day of Tihar festival. They are followed by the dog owners and the guests who come to celebrate this occasion. The guests are the ones who bring gifts to the dogs on this Kukur Tihar day.

One of the best things about the Dog festival in Nepal is that it has become an important event in every village across Nepal. Many families organize this festival during the festive season. It is a fun-filled affair as the whole village gets together to celebrate the festival.

The people also had the opportunity to interact with each other as well as with the dogs. The animals also become the center of attraction as people take pictures of them with the people and the animal dog.

The festival is observed in the same way as it has been for the past many years. People decorate the entire village with colorful garlands, bells, posters, fruits, meats, Dal Bhat Tarikari, and many more.

What is the background that justifies the celebration of Kukur Tihar?

From a religious perspective, dogs hold a prominent place in Hindu mythology. As underlined in the holy Hindu scripture, Mahabharata, dog was a persistent vehicle or a mode of transportation used by Bhairava who is regarded as a ferocious representation of Lord Shiva.

The ancient text, Rigveda also reads that Samara (identified as the mother of dogs) had helped Lord Indra to retain his stolen cattle. Similarly, Yama, the Lord of Death, is known to have owned two dogs i.e. Shyam and Sadal- each having four eyes.

The dogs were believed to guard over the doors of hell (also referred to as “Narka” in Hindu mythology). Thus, Kukur Tihar is also celebrated as “Naraka Chaturdashi” in many districts of Nepal.

Significance of Kukur Tihar or Dog Puja

– It’s believed that dogs will sense the death of somebody still as sense endangers.
– Once crow, it’s aforementioned that the Yamuna sent dog as her representative to Hindu deity.
– The attachment between humans and dogs.
– In epic Mahabharata, a dog follows Pandavas throughout their journey to death and later the dog reveals himself as Hindu deity. So, some represent dog itself as Hindu deity.

Celebration of Dog Puja or Kukur Tihar

– Individuals supply garlands, tilak and delicious food to dogs.
– Individuals acknowledge their relationship with dogs.
– Followers of Vaishnavism, celebrate nowadays as a success of avatar over Narakaasur.

5 reasons behind celebrating Kukur Tihar in Nepal

1. Dogs are worshipped for their everyday roles in human lives. They protect people’s houses round the clock like an alert security guard. Scriptures also evince the assistance offered by dogs to Gods.
2. Kukur Tihar is an instance of how Hindus respect the existence of other creatures in the planet. The festival demonstrates how ceremonies do not have to be human-centric all the time.
3. Worshipping dogs reflects the gratitude of people towards dogs and strengthens the never-ending relationship between humans and dogs.
4. Similarly, it is also believed that keeping the dogs happy will appease Yama, the deity of Death. This will secure the entire family from untimely death.
5. Dogs are honored for the help that they provide in state-level functions such as criminal investigations.

Kukur Tihar, an example for the world

Where violence against dogs has become a global issue and people are organizing campaigns to eliminate it by all means, Kukur Tihar celebrated in Nepal outstands as a festival that respects the lives of dogs and honors their impact in human society. It would be highly significant to take note of Mexico here.

Kukur Tihar celebrations had begun in Mexico in 2016 being inspired from the Nepali festival. Although there is no such religious significance of the occasion, Mexicans have started worshipping dogs to express gratefulness towards them and create awareness among people about the sufferings caused by their abandonment.

In 2017, Kukur Tihar was celebrated in Puerto Vallarata, Mexico by paying tribute to a rescue dog involved in earthquake. The event recognized the contributions made by dogs in saving human lives during the catastrophe.

Special march of dogs in Nepal during Kukur Tihar

In order to acknowledge the role of dogs in the process of various criminal investigations, Nepali police personnel organize a parade of dogs on the day of Kukur Tihar at the Central Police Dog Training School in Kathmandu every year and worship them accordingly.

The police personnel stand on the march along with the dogs to pay respect to them. This shows the extent to which dogs have been helping humans in their day-to-day lives.

A message that gods need not be sought in stones and idols

When assessed from an objective lens, this practice is praiseworthy in the sense that it challenges a materialistic perspective that seeks for faith in temples, idols and stones.

This festival protrudes a positive message that living beings can be worshipped too as a vital part of the nature. Any living object that helps humans in so many ways can be thanked by visualizing their image as of God.

What needs to be done to make the festival more dog-friendly?

Although this festival is meant to celebrate dogs and their existence, a crucial part of this festival must be reconsidered here. Tika, made of colors, which is put on the dogs’ forehead, may be harmful to them.

The dogs may be allergic to those colors. Therefore, special care and attention needs to be taken while worshipping them.

20 facts about Kukur Tihar or Dog Puja:-

1. Within the beyond few years, the Yulin dog festival in China has made rounds on social media. All through that point, dogs, are tortured and eaten. However, this culture has gotten the eye of the sector. Humans are now signing petitions with a goal to stop this festival.
2. As the ordinary festival went viral, many diverted their attention to every other birthday party that honors animals inside the best viable manner—Nepal’s Kukur Tihar pageant.
3. Tihar, one of the exquisite celebrations in the Hindu calendar, is a five-day autumn pageant usually called the competition of lights.

4. Kukur Tihar is dedicated to thanking puppies for their friendship and carrier.
5. Nepalese Hinduism is precise in dedicating the second one day of Tihar, Kukur Tihar, to the worship of puppies.
6. Puppies are particularly critical to Nepal’s Hindu practitioners in every painting in not unusual.

7. All through the day of Tihar, Kukur Tihar, and the role of dogs in human life and during records are celebrated.
8. In the Rig-Veda, one in all Hinduism’s most historical texts, Samara — the mother of puppies — assists Indra, the ruler of heaven, in retrieving stolen cattle.
9. Hindu tradition holds that a dog is the dad or mum and messenger of Yama.

10. Human beings offer garlands, Tika and delicious meals to dogs and renowned the loved courting between human beings and puppies. In dog pics, you’ll observe a wreath of flowers hanging around the neck of every dog. This floral necklace, called a malla, is a mark of admiring and dignity. It declares the wearer as vital and symbolizes the prayers that go together with the dog.
11. Like the mala that garlands the neck, the pink Tika marks the dog as both a devotee of the righteous direction and as an object of devotion. The Tika imbues the dog with an air of sacredness and acts as a blessing to people who encounter the dog at some stage in Kukur Tihar.
12. The Tika also works as a manner of letting puppies display their own appreciation because the mark serves as a blessing to anyone who encounters the dog throughout Tihar.

13. Prayers and plants are without a doubt first-rate, however as far as puppies are involved, their favorite a part of Kukur Tihar need to be the meals.
14. Yama, the god of death, is assumed to very own two protect dogs – every with four eyes.
15. The dogs are stated to observe over the gates of Naraka, the Hindu concept of Hell.

16. Due to the notion that “puppies are stated to watch over the gates of Naraka”, at the moment is likewise found as Naraka Chaturdashi.
17. As referred to in the Mahabharata, Bhairav, a fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva, had a dog as a vehicle.
18. The dog is discovered to represent the idea of dharma, the path of righteousness.

19. In the day of Kukur Tihar, human beings from Kathmandu typically adopt road dogs to worship and they again take them lower back to a road next day.
20. In step with the records gathered by way of pet shops of Kathmandu, they said that “the number of people shopping for dogs in Tihar increases through double than usual”.

Concluding remarks

Kukur Tihar is therefore, an influential festival celebrated in Nepal wherein dogs are praised for their loyalty towards humans. All dogs whether domestic or street-grown, get fair treatment and respect on this day.

Thus, this festival teaches a meaningful lesson about how every living being on earth has a significant impact in our lives and how they must be honored for their contributions.

If harsh practices of sacrificing animals and birds in the name of ceremonies is abolished, this ritual can be fairly taken as an example to be adopted by other nations of the world. Mexico has already been celebrating it as a part of their festival for past three years now which should also be taken into account.

Kukur Puja (Kukur Pooja) in Tihar Festival of Nepal