Sikkim celebrates 'Kukur Tihar' with Himalayan Roadies winner Naseeb Tamang

The festive spirit of Kukur Tihar, a day dedicated to honoring dogs during the five-day Tihar celebration, was vibrantly celebrated at the People for Animals (PFA) Sikkim Rescue Centre in Syapley, West Pendam, on October 31. The event drew animal lovers and community members who gathered to pay tribute to their furry companions, highlighting the bond between humans and dogs.

Adding a star-studded touch to the celebration, Naseeb Tamang, renowned for his achievements as a winner of Himalayan Roadies and titles such as WFF Mr. India and Mr. India Continent, graced the occasion as a special guest. "I felt very, very happy today because of Tihar, especially since today is Dog Tihar," Tamang expressed, radiating enthusiasm for the festivities. He emphasized the importance of community support for animal welfare, noting the significance of rescuing and caring for stray dogs. "I appeal to everyone to encourage us and support us. These dogs deserve love and care," he said referring to the 35 to 40 dogs currently at the rescue center.

On this special occasion, Dr. Jigme Wangchuk Bhutia, Vice Convenor of the SKM State Legal Cell, also joined the celebration and generously donated essentials to support the efforts of PFA Sikkim in caring for rescued animals.

PFA President Anu Thami spoke to India Today NE, highlighting the significance of the day: "Today is Kukur Tihar. We celebrated it and invited Naseeb Tamang to join us. We adorned the dogs with garlands and felt very happy. Today, all these guests came and saw how we celebrate; on other days, we just feed our dogs, but today we celebrated our dogs like kings and queens."

Thami also addressed the growing concern of animal cruelty, stating, "As we know, animal cruelty is increasing day by day. If any animal cruelty occurs, please make a video and send it to us, and we will take legal action. We receive complaints but often lack evidence or video footage. To effectively combat animal cruelty, we must obtain video evidence."

Kukur Tihar is an annual Hindu festival that originated in Nepal and falls on the second day of Tihar, usually in October or November. Dedicated to the worship of dogs, Kukur Tihar is celebrated by adorning dogs with tilaka (a ceremonial mark) and flower garlands around their necks. Worshippers offer various foods, including meat, milk, eggs, and dog food, to please Yama, the god of death, who is believed to have dogs as his messengers. It is considered a sin to act disrespectfully towards dogs on this day, reflecting the deep reverence for these animals in Hindu culture.

The Tihar festival itself, which is the second-largest Hindu festival in Nepal after Dashain, spans five days and includes the worship of various animals such as cows and crows. Each day holds special significance, showcasing the interconnectedness of humans, nature, and spirituality.

The roots of Kukur Tihar are steeped in mythology, as depicted in the ancient Sanskrit epic Mahabharata. During their journey to heaven, the five Pandavas are accompanied by a dog. When Yudhishthira, the eldest Pandava, is asked to leave the dog behind to enter heaven, he refuses, demonstrating profound loyalty. Impressed by his righteousness, Yama rewards him, further solidifying the spiritual bond between dogs and humanity.