Nepal Awards Man’s Best Friend With Kukur Tihar | Diwali for Dogs

In a wonderful tale of merger between animals and the festival of lights. Nepal celebrates various animals across the five days of Diwali, locally known as Tihar. The autumn festival is often associated with the triumph of good over evil; another interpretation could denote the victory of knowledge over unawareness. However the real victory lies in the confluence of animal worship during the period of Diwali in Nepalese Hinduism.
On the second day of Tihar, dogs are revered and worshiped and this celebration is known as the Kukur Tihar festival in Nepal.

image credit: lifewithdogs.tv

Kukur Tihar recognizes the mythological significance of dogs. Shvan is the Sanskrit word for dogs and is frequently mentioned in the Vedic texts. According to Rig-Veda one of the oldest and most sacred texts of Hinduism; Indra (the main deity of Rig Veda) is helped by Sarama (the mother of all dogs/also known as the female dog of the Gods) to find the holy cows and recover them from a certain class of demons.

During the Kukku Tihar, Garlands made up of fresh Flowers are hung around the neck of the dog. Pet dogs as well as strays are awarded the same kind of treatment and felicitated with a malla/garland.

As per Vedic tradition the two dogs (Shyam and Sadal) of Yamraj were offspring of Sarama. Hence dogs came to be regarded as the messenger and guard of Yama (god of death).

Shvan is the Sanskrit word for dogs and is frequently mentioned in the Vedic texts. According to Rig-Veda Lord Indra is helped by Sarama (the mother of all dogs/also known as the female dog of the Gods) to find the holy cows and recover them from a certain class of demons. Image – lifewithdogs.tv

Service dogs in Nepal too, get their fair share of divinity at Kukkur Tihar during the Diwali week. Image-Labrador Retriever Guide

In Mahabharata, many years after the war of Kurukshetra, Pandavas contemplate retirement and eventually give up their Kingdom. They then set off on an expedition of India and the Himlayas along with wife Draupadi. At the beginning of their journey, they meet with a dog that befriends them and assists till the end. During the journey Draupadi is the first one to succumb to death (death here also signifies a weakness and in this cases her attachment to Arjuna). Excepting Yudhishthira, one by one the Pandavas die before finishing this journey to heaven. The loyal dog throughout remained by Yudhishthira’s side who continued to move ahead despite the loss of his brethren and wife. Just when it was time to ascend to heaven, Indra came down in his chariot and offered Yudhishthira to get in albeit without the dog. But for Yudhisthira abandoning his loyal companion was not an option and he insisted that the dog be allowed to accompany them to heaven. Moved by Yudhishthira’s display of kindness and righteousness the dog reappeared as the deity of Dharma (Yama) and praised the king for his good qualities.

The Tihar festival is a five day event. With the first day being dedicated to crows also known as Kaag Tihar, and cows are worshipped on the third day known as the Gai Tihar. The third day also coincides with the day of Diwali. The fourth day is marked by the celebration of oxen. The festivity is concluded with bhai-tika on the fifth day, commemorating the beautiful bond between a brother & sister.

Right from Hindu mythology to the present times dogs have been found to don special roles and have forged eternal relationships with humans. Kukur Tihar is all about rewarding this loyal association of dog with man/people.

A Garland made up of fresh Flowers is hung around the neck of the dog. Pet dogs as well as strays are awarded the same kind of treatment and felicitated with a malla/garland.

The tika ceremony is practiced in addition to draping the malla. Tika is the red mark applied to a dog’s forehead, made up of red powder, some rice grains and yogurt. The malla and tika both denote the dog as a pious being and one that deserves to be respected and worshiped. It is believed that dogs in this form are instilled with the power to bless each person they encounter on the auspicious Kukur Tihar.

A celebration is incomplete without a hearty and tasty spread of food. Foods such as eggs, meat, milk and dog kibbles are laid out for pets as well as offered to street dogs. Rituals are primarily focused on elevating and recognizing the status of dogs as a true friend and protector of the human race.

Article Resource:
storypick.com
dogster.com