Nepal celebrates Kukur Tihar, with calls to improve animal welfare

By Zheng Yiwen

Kathmandu (CNS) -- Nepal celebrated Kukur Tihar, a traditional day honoring dogs, on Sunday. Nepal’s first lady, Sabina Kafle, organized a celebration in Kathmandu to honor dogs for their loyalty and companionship and raise public awareness of animal welfare.

Speaking at the event, Kafle said the celebration aimed to showcase Nepal’s unique cultural traditions to the world and to encourage people to show animals the same respect in everyday life that they do during the festival.

Ganess Paudel, Nepal’s Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, said Kukur Tihar reflects the deep respect for life embedded in Nepalese cultural traditions. He proposed seeking international recognition for Kukur Tihar as the “International Day of Canine Kinship and Animal Compassion.” He also called for better welfare for dogs through vaccination, sterilization programs, and stronger animal protection legislation.

During the event, a search-and-rescue dog from Nepal’s Armed Police Force also received tika in recognition of its role in rescue operations after the August 26 landslide.

The organizers also introduced social media hashtags such as #LoveYourDogsEveryday to promote Nepal’s unique tradition of honoring dogs and raise awareness of animal welfare worldwide.

Kukur Tihar is traditionally observed on the second day of Tihar, one of Nepal’s major festivals. To mark the day, people place marigold garlands around dogs’ necks, apply tika to their foreheads as a symbol of blessing, and offer them special food to express gratitude for their loyalty and companionship.

Tihar typically lasts five days and includes rituals honoring crows, dogs, and cows, worship of the goddess Laxmi, and celebrations of the bond between brothers and sisters.