--- title: "Kukur Tihar: the festival that honours dogs" description: "\"Tihar, a five-day festival in Nepal, has a whole day dedicated to celebrating dogs called Kukur Tihar\"" image: https://blog.almonature.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/kukur1140-5.jpg --- [![almonature-logo-4](https://blog.almonature.com/hubfs/almonature-logo-4.svg) ](https://www.almonature.com/en/?hsLang=en-gb) ![EN](https://blog.almonature.com/hubfs/country_flags/gb.svg) [![almonature-logo-4](https://blog.almonature.com/hubfs/almonature-logo-4.svg) ](https://www.almonature.com/en/?hsLang=en-gb) - Products - [Companion for Life](https://www.almonature.com/it/companion-for-life?hsLang=en-gb) - Call for Projects - About us - [Where to buy](https://www.almonature.com/it/trova-un-negozio?hsLang=en-gb) Products - Cat Food - Dog Food - Cat Litter Cat Food - [All Cat Food](https://www.almonature.com/it/prodotti-per-gatti?hsLang=en-gb) - [Functional](https://www.almonature.com/it/alimenti-funzionali?hsLang=en-gb) - [Kibble](https://www.almonature.com/it/gatto-crocchette?hsLang=en-gb) - [Wet food](https://www.almonature.com/it/gatto-umido?hsLang=en-gb) - [Snack](https://www.almonature.com/it/gatto-snack?hsLang=en-gb) [![bio-diversity-menu-icon](https://blog.almonature.com/hubfs/bio-diversity-menu-icon.png) Impact on biodiversity ](https://www.almonature.com/it/impatto-sulla-biodiversit%C3%A0?hsLang=en-gb) [![nutritional-advice-menu-icon](https://blog.almonature.com/hubfs/nutritional-advice-menu-icon.png) Cat nutrition advice ](https://www.almonature.com/it/consiglio-nutrizionale-gatto?hsLang=en-gb) Dog Food - [All Dog Food](https://www.almonature.com/it/prodotti-per-cani?hsLang=en-gb) - [Kibble](https://www.almonature.com/it/cane-crocchette?hsLang=en-gb) - [Wet food](https://www.almonature.com/it/cane-umido?hsLang=en-gb) - [Snack](https://www.almonature.com/it/cane-snack?hsLang=en-gb) [![bio-diversity-menu-icon](https://blog.almonature.com/hubfs/bio-diversity-menu-icon.png) Impact on biodiversity ](https://www.almonature.com/it/impatto-sulla-biodiversit%C3%A0?hsLang=en-gb) [![nutritional-advice-menu-icon](https://blog.almonature.com/hubfs/nutritional-advice-menu-icon.png) Dog nutrition advice ](https://www.almonature.com/it/consiglio-nutrizionale-cane?hsLang=en-gb) Cat Litter - [All Litter](https://www.almonature.com/it/lettiere?hsLang=en-gb) - [Soft Texture](https://www.almonature.com/it/catlitter-soft-texture?hsLang=en-gb) - [Grain Texture](https://www.almonature.com/it/catlitter-grain-texture?hsLang=en-gb) Call for Projects - [Home Page](https://www.almonature.com/it/re-community?hsLang=en-gb) - [Participating projects](https://www.almonature.com/it/companion-for-life/projects?hsLang=en-gb) - [International commission](https://www.almonature.com/it/companion-for-life/re-community-giuria?hsLang=en-gb) - [FAQs](https://www.almonature.com/it/companion-for-life/faqs-domande-frequenti?hsLang=en-gb) - [Download the call for projects](https://blog.almonature.com/hubfs/re-community-projects/UK-Companion-for-Life-Call-for-Project-Annex-1-and-2.pdf?hsLang=en-gb) About us - [Brand Profile](https://www.almonature.com/it/manifesto?hsLang=en-gb) - [Our history](https://www.almonature.com/it/la-storia?hsLang=en-gb) - [The company](https://www.almonature.com/it/rendicontazione?hsLang=en-gb) - [Reintegration Economy](https://www.almonature.com/it/reintegration-economy?hsLang=en-gb) ![Kukur Tihar: the festival that honours dogs](https://blog.almonature.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/kukur1140-5.jpg) **Kukur Tihar**, a celebration in Nepal that pays tribute to dogs and [their special relationship with humans](https://www.almonature.com/en/reads/role-pack-leader-dog/?hsLang=en-gb). Between mysticism and folklore, the dog becomes protagonist in a universe customised for him where stories of [abuse](https://www.almonature.com/en/reads/the-metamorphosis-of-dave-from-desertion-to-adoption/?hsLang=en-gb) or abandonment have no place.  ### **One day dedicated to the dog** Every year in Nepal, between October and November, **Tihar**, a Hindu festival lasting five days is celebrated. On each day, a predominant theme consistent with the ultimate aim of the festival prevails: **celebrating the deities and the gift of life itself**. The second day is dedicated to dogs, which according to Hindu religion are the messengers of Yama, the god of death. Thanks to this important role, our four-legged friends receive various kinds of tributes. It begins with people adorning dogs (pets and stray dogs) with colourful **garlands of flowers** hung around their necks. It continues with the ***pundra ***or ***tika***, a distinguishing mark that is placed on their forehead indicating their sacred role in the religious tradition; the bright dye is obtained by mixing a red powder known as *abir* with yogurt and rice. Of course, and to the delight of those involved, the homage to the dogs culminates with a feast of **all sorts of goodies**: meat, eggs, peanuts and gourmet preparations are just some of the high quality foods available to them.  ### **‘Honour' dogs every day** The **Kukur Tihar** festival is often seen as the complete opposite to the **Yulin Meat Festival in China**, where, unfortunately, the dogs are killed to be eaten. Mysticism and traditions aside, the celebrations in Nepal can still be a starting point for anyone who has chosen to share their lives with a dog.In addition to this sacred role, held dear to the Nepalese people, the quadruped is faithful to man the world over and a precious collaborator in activities such as [protection](https://www.almonature.com/en/reads/the-maremma-sheepdog-ally-of-flocks-and-shepherds/?hsLang=en-gb) and [rescue](https://www.almonature.com/en/reads/avalanche-dogs-complex-training-for-rescue-at-high-altitude/?hsLang=en-gb) every day, so deserves a ‘thank you' from us with respect, care and loyalty. #### Related Articles [![Ticks and parasites: how, when and why... how to remove them without doing harm](https://blog.almonature.com/hubfs/Blog-post_1200x630_main_03-2.jpg) ](https://blog.almonature.com/en-gb/how-to-remove-ticks?hsLang=en-gb) November 12,2015 ###### [Ticks and parasites: how, when and why... how to remove them without doing harm](https://blog.almonature.com/en-gb/how-to-remove-ticks?hsLang=en-gb) Practical advice from the clinic With the arrival of the mild season, the spectre of tick infestation recurs relentlessly for dog and cat owners. 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