Kukur Tihar (also called Narak Chaturdashi, is an annual Hindu festival originating from Nepal which falls on the second day of the festival of Tihar (around October or November).
On Kukur Tihar, people worship dogs to please Yama, the god of death, as they are considered to be his messengers. Dogs are decorated with tilaka and wear flower garlands around their necks.
Tihar is celebrated around October or November every year. During the festival, dogs are worshipped, bathed, and decorated with tilaka. Flower garlands are draped around their necks and they are offered food.
Foods such as meat, milk, eggs, and dog food are offered to dogs, both pets and stray so as to show our love and appreciation for their presence around us.
Kukur Tihar also celebrates the relationship between dogs and humans. It is considered a sin if someone behaves disrespectfully to a dog on this day.
It is not just beloved pets who are involved in the celebrations. Stray dogs are honoured on the day too.
.Throughout this festival, people in Nepal clean their houses and courtyards; light up lamps and pray to Laxmi - the Goddess of Wealth - urging her to visit their houses and bless them.
The festival, which shares some traditions with Diwali in India, also celebrates cows and crows.