Kukur Tihar 2026: The Day Nepal Honors Its Dogs
On Kukur Tihar, the second day of Tihar, dogs across Nepal, both pets and strays, receive a red tika, a marigold garland and food.
Every year during Tihar, Nepal sets aside a day for dogs. It is called Kukur Tihar (कुकुर तिहार), "the day of the dogs". Dogs are blessed with a red tika, given a garland of flowers and offered food. Pets and street dogs are honored alike.
Watch our Kukur Tihar Reel: Kukur Tihar, the day Nepal honors its dogs, on Instagram
When is Kukur Tihar in 2026?
In 2026, Kukur Tihar falls on Sunday, November 8 (Kartik 22, 2083 BS). Nepal's calendar lists Laxmi Puja on the same date this year, so dogs are honored on the day that ends with the festival's main night of lights.
What is Kukur Tihar?
Tihar is a five-day Hindu festival in Nepal, also called Deepavali, the festival of lights. During Tihar, people clean their homes and courtyards, light lamps and pray to Laxmi, the goddess of wealth. The festival shares some traditions with Diwali in India.
Kukur Tihar is traditionally the second day of the festival. Other animals are honored during Tihar too, including crows, cows and oxen.
How are dogs honored?
On Kukur Tihar, people offer dogs three things:
- A tika: a red mark applied to the forehead.
- A garland of flowers, such as fresh marigolds, placed around the neck.
- Food: treats can include meat, milk, eggs and good-quality dog food.
A dog with tika and marigold garland on Kukur Tihar. Photo: Alish Bhandarii / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Not only pets
The day is not only for beloved pets. Stray dogs are honored on Kukur Tihar too: not only pets but also street dogs are given food, garlands and tika.
Why dogs? Yamaraj and his messengers
In Hindu belief, the dog is the messenger of Yamaraj, the god of death. By keeping dogs in good humor, people believe they can appease Yamaraj himself. According to Hindu mythology, Yamaraj has two dogs, Shyam and Sadal, who guard the door to hell.
The dog is also known in Hindu tradition as a faithful companion. In the Mahabharata, Yudhishthira refuses to go to heaven without his devoted dog.
A beagle being worshipped on Kukur Tihar, with a plate of fruit. Photo: Slyronit / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
A day of loyalty and respect
Kukur Tihar is a reminder of the long bond between people and dogs. For one day each year, every dog in Nepal, with a home or without one, is honored.
Watch our short documentary Reel on Kukur Tihar and follow @jurelimedia on Instagram.
FAQ
When is Kukur Tihar 2026? Sunday, November 8, 2026 (Kartik 22, 2083 BS), the same date as Laxmi Puja this year.
Which day of Tihar is Kukur Tihar? It is traditionally the second day of the five-day Tihar festival.
What do dogs receive on Kukur Tihar? A red tika on the forehead, a flower garland (such as marigolds) and food.
Are street dogs included? Yes. Stray dogs are honored on the day as well as pets.
Why are dogs worshipped? In Hindu belief, dogs are messengers of Yamaraj, the god of death, and his two dogs guard the door to hell.
Sources
- BBC News, Nepal festival celebrates 'day of the dogs' (6 Nov 2018)
- The Kathmandu Post, Dogs worshipped on Kukur Tihar (10 Nov 2015)
- Hamro Patro, 2083 Kartik 22: Laxmi Pooja / Kukur Tihar (per the Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Samiti calendar)
- Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Calendar
Photo credits
All photos are real photographs of Kukur Tihar from Wikimedia Commons. They are cropped and resized only.
- Lead photo (Labrador with tika and marigold garland, Kathmandu): Manto17, CC0 1.0 (source)
- Garland photo: Alish Bhandarii, CC BY-SA 4.0 (source)
- Beagle with offerings: Slyronit, CC BY-SA 4.0 (source)
