Kukur Tihar: Nepal’s celebration of loyalty and love for dogs

In Nepal, people celebrated Kukur Tihar on Monday, human-dog companionship and appreciating dog’s loyalty and benevolence. Kukur Tihar, translated as "worship of the dogs," involves a full day of celebrating and pampering dogs for their loyalty and friendship to humans. In Kathmandu, Nepal’s Armed Police Force on October 20 celebrated Kukur Tihar, whereby they honour dogs of their canine units with garlands, vermilion, and  feasts. The animals also showcased their skills on the occasion, from leaping through fire rings to performing drills. Kukur Tihar marks the second day of the Himalayan nation’s five-day Tihar (Diwali) festival.

Nepal celebrated Kukur Tihar, honoring police dogs with vermilion and garlands for their service and skills pic.twitter.com/pXrk8GKxVz

— Reuters (@Reuters) October 20, 2025

Kukur Tihar is a 5-day long Tihar celebration in Nepal celebrated across different ethnicities in Nepal with the first day was Yam panchak on which Nepalis' feed ravens. 

Only in Nepal , dogs are honored and worshipped by their human families for their love and loyalty during the festival of Kukur Tihar. #Tihar #KukurTihar #Nepal pic.twitter.com/tADif7DhJ2

— Amit (@AmitSpeaksNow) October 20, 2025

In many houses, Laxmi Puja was observed on Monday evening by worshipping Laxmi, the goddess of wealth, affluence, and prosperity, with devotion. Traditionally the day falls on the third day of the Tihar festival, many people in Nepal are celebrating Laxmi Puja on Tuesday also while few people are celebrating on New Moon day. On this day, people clean their houses and surroundings, illuminate their homes, and light butter lamps to ‘invite’ the goddess to their homes. Devotees make the footprint signs from their courtyard up to the main worshipping altar.