Nepalese people celebrate dogs during the Kukur Tihar festival

People in Nepal celebrate the Kukur Tihar festival to honor the bond between humans and dogs. This tradition takes place during the five-day Tihar, a festival also known as the festival of lights.

During the Hindu celebration, people treat dogs as messengers or companions of Yama, the god of death. Participants place flower garlands around the necks of dogs, apply a red tika to their foreheads, and provide them with special food.

This practice includes both domestic pets and stray dogs. The festival has expanded internationally, with similar celebrations occurring in Mexico-Stad since 2016 and a first edition of Kukur Tihar USA in Virginia in 2024. However, some animal rights activists in Nepal argue that the celebration should not be limited to a single day. They advocate for year-round respect and better treatment for stray dogs instead of only pampering them during the festival.