Honouring Our Faithful Friends
This October weekend, we joined in celebrating one of the world’s most beautiful festivals of devotion and companionship — Kukur Tihar, the day when dogs are honoured, blessed, and loved in the most heartfelt way.
In Hindu tradition, dogs are sacred beings. They are the loyal companions of Yama, the god of death, who is said to guard the gates of the afterlife and guide souls on their journey. To honour them is to honour that loyalty.
Kukur Tihar is part of Tihar, Nepal’s five-day Festival of Lights, also known as Yamapanchak. It is analogous to Diwali, the festival of lights celebrated across the Indian subcontinent. Each day honours a different connection — from crows to cows to oxen — but the second day is dedicated to dogs.
In 2025, Kukur Tihar falls on Monday, 20 October. We participated in London’s first Dog Diwali celebration this weekend at The Albert Pub in Primrose Hill organised by @donpepechi and @little_chow_doxie
The Tika, the Garland, and the Feast
When a dog receives its tika — the red mark pressed gently on the forehead — it’s a symbol of blessing and protection, a wish for long life and happiness. The tika signifies the connection between human and divine, an acknowledgement that dogs, too, are sacred companions on life’s journey.
Next comes the mala, a garland of bright marigold flowers, their golden hues representing warmth, purity, and the light of the sun. Draping it around the dog’s neck feels ceremonial, celebratory — a way of saying, “You matter. You are loved.”
And then, of course, comes the feast. Dogs are offered special treats, not only an act of kindness but a reflection of gratitude, a thank-you for their unwavering loyalty and unconditional love.
All proceeds from this event will be going to KAT Centre Nepal, a charity dedicated to rescuing, treating and caring for street dogs in Kathmandu.
Across Nepal, dogs of every kind — from family pets to strays — are adorned with colour, flowers, and food. For one day, every dog becomes divine.
In Kathmandu, police dogs, family pets, and strays alike are celebrated side by side.
The sight of hundreds of garlanded dogs wandering the city streets each October is profoundly moving. It’s a day that dissolves distinctions — between owned and unowned, between human and animal — and replaces them with shared dignity.
Why Kukur Tihar Matters
We thought about the countless dogs around the world who ask for so little and give so much. A Napalese tradition, Kukur Tihar is fast becoming a global reminder of compassion, respect, and connection.
Observing Kukur Tihar felt like participating in something ancient yet urgently relevant: a collective act of kindness, a recognition that animals are not beneath us but beside us.
HAPPY KUKUR TIHAR!
