India is a country where festivals are celebrated with great fervor. During these occasions people worship gods and goddess to fulfill their wishes. But there is a country where people worship dogs.
Yes, you heard it right. In Nepal people observe ‘Kukur Tihar’ or “day of the dogs”. It is the second biggest Nepalese festival after Dashain.
It is considered to be of great importance as it shows contribution to not just the humans and the gods, but also to the animals like crows, cows, and dogs that maintain an intimate relationship with humans.
It is a five-day Nepalese Hindu festival and the second day is called Dog Tihar. On this day people offer garlands, tika and delicious foods to dogs. People believe that dog is the messenger of Yamaraj – the God of death – and by keeping dogs in good humour, they will be able to appease Yamaraj himself.
PNN/Agencies
