Every dog has its day, and for canines in Nepal that phrase could not be more literal. The five-day Nepalese Hindu festival of Tihar started this week and the second day is known as Kukur Tihar or "day of the dogs".

Dogs are celebrated and blessed with a Tika - a red mark applied to their forehead. The animals are also given flowers and offered food as part of the festival. Even though ‘Kukur Tihar’ is essentially celebrated in Nepal, several Hindus in India celebrate it too.

Many took to social media to share pictures celebrating the occasion with their furry friends and boy, do they look adorable!

Bemorepanda has collected a compilation of the best 50 pictures for this year festival that will make your heart melt.

1 Happy Good Doggo day everyone

2 Nepalese Festival that celebrates Dogs. Today is a special day in Nepal also known as ‘Kukur Tihar’ that is reserved for man’s best friend. It is dedicated solely to thanks Dogs for their loyalty and friendship.

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12 The second day Dipawali is called Kukur (dog) Tihar. On this day, all dogs, whether pets or strays, are offered treats and worshipped by placing a tika on their forehead and garlands of marigolds around their necks. This day marks the special relationship between humans and dogs, where dogs are thanked and celebrated for their loyalty, service and companionship.

Dogs occupy a special place in Hinduism, not just as loyal companions but also as messengers of Yama and incarnations of the god Bhairava. 

13 In Hinduism, it is believed that dogs are the messengers of the God of Death, Yama, and guard the underworld empire. They are, somehow, heaven’s gatekeepers. The story in the Mahabharat epic is quite interesting. On his final journey to Swarga to attain the state of God, Yudhishthira lost his brothers and wife along the way, but a dog followed him until he reached the gate. Yudhishthira, then, refused to abandon his friend, the dog, and didn’t want to enter heaven without him. Eventually, the dog turned out to be Yama, the God of Death, who was testing Yudhishthira’s virtues; Yudhishthira had renounced heaven instead of renouncing his friend, the dog, proving he transcended the achievements of the royal sages.

14 Day of the Dog which is celebrated in Nepali Culture across the world. Kukur Tihar honors dogs in all of their aspects as Gurdians, Companios,and Friends. In pictures you’ll notice a wreath of flowers hanging on neck. This floral necklace called malla which is a mark of respect and dignity

15 The festival brings together the key aspects of nature - people, animals and colours. As part of the celebrations, cows, crows, dogs and oxen are worshipped across the country symbolising the manifestation of various gods.⁠⠀

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On the Kukur (dog) Tihar day, the Nepalese Hindu community worships dogs owing to their religious significance as the guard of Lord Yama, the god of death. It is also believed that dogs can lead the souls of the dead to heaven.⁠⠀

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Dogs 🐶 are offered special prayers with tikka, garlands and delicious foods. We have compiled several images of dogs being honoured for their role as man's best friend in providing companionship and security.⁠⠀ .

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