Dogs across Nepal were adorned with marigold garlands and vibrant vermillion paint on Sunday, November 12, marking the second day of the five-day Tihar festival known as Kukur Tihar. This unique day is dedicated to worshiping dogs as messengers of Yamaraj, the god of death, and recognizing their unwavering loyalty and companionship to humans.
Sujit Dongol, a businessman who observed the festival at home, expressed that his dog is an integral part of the family. “He is a companion to everyone and is always happy and playful like a child,” Dongol said, holding his one-year-old American Bully. “We feel happy worshiping a dog that lives with us.”
During Kukur Tihar, dog enthusiasts not only decorate their pets with marigolds and vermillion but also offer treats and toys to both their domestic pets and street dogs. The celebration extends beyond households, with the Armed Police Force conducting a special ritual to honor and worship their canine force, which plays a crucial role in disaster response, explosive detection, and drug detection.
Ramesh Pokharel, Chief of the Animal Health and Dog Handler section of the Armed Police Force, emphasized the significance of the day. “It is a special day. Our dogs have helped us a lot, so the security personnel feel happy to celebrate this.”
While Kukur Tihar has inspired similar celebrations globally, including an annual event in Mexico since 2016, animal welfare groups stress that the special treatment of dogs should not be confined to a single day. They advocate for ending inhumane practices towards street dogs, such as poisoning, aimed at culling populations or preventing rabies.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
