Kukur Tihar / Kukur Puja
In Nepal, the five-day-long festival of Diwali is known as 𝐓𝐢𝐡𝐚𝐫 or 𝐘𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐤 and it is celebrated by worshipping animals.
The first day of Tihar is known as '𝐊𝐚𝐚𝐠 𝐓𝐢𝐡𝐚𝐫' (crow festival). It is celebrated by feeding crows and ravens. The crow symbolises the messenger of Yama Dev(God of death). it is believed that worshipping them can bring good luck.
'𝐊𝐮𝐤𝐮𝐫 𝐓𝐢𝐡𝐚𝐫' or '𝐊𝐮𝐤𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐮𝐣𝐚' falls on the second day of Yamapanchak. On this day, dogs are worshipped with floral garlands and Tilak. After a ceremonial Puja, they are treated to their favourite meals.
On the third day, '𝐆𝐚𝐢 𝐏𝐮𝐣𝐚' (cow festival) is observed during the day and the Goddess Laxmi (the Goddess of wealth) is worshipped in the evening for prosperity.
Day four favours oxen and day five is dedicated to people, with sisters traditionally putting tilaka on their brothers' foreheads in the belief that it will secure a long and happy life.
Kukur Tihar falls on the second day of the Tihar festival, which is a five-day-long Hindu festival of lights, celebrated in Nepal and by the Nepali diaspora. Kukur Tihar is an important day of Tihar festival to celebrate the long friendship and loyalty of dogs. People thank dogs for their loyalty and companionship.
Dogs are considered special in Sanatan Dharma as they are believed to be the messengers of Yama Dev and incarnations of the God Bhairava(a form of Lord Shiva). It is considered a sin to be disrespectful to a dog on this day.
Kukur Tihar is also known as Khicha puja by Newars. Adorned with colourful garlands made up of marigold flowers and Tilaka, all dogs, including strays, are gently bathed by families and served their favourite food to acknowledge the cherished bonding between humans and dogs.
