The Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi hosted a lively celebration of Kukur Tihar on Sunday, honouring dogs as loyal companions during one of the most distinctive days of the country’s Tihar festival.Chargé d’Affaires Dr Surendra Thapa led the event, joined by members of the Nepali community, diplomats and embassy staff. Dogs present at the gathering were adorned with bright marigold garlands, marked with red tika on their foreheads and offered special treats, in keeping with the day’s traditions.A group photograph taken at the embassy shows participants in traditional Nepali attire standing with several dogs on a white sheet scattered with flower petals, beneath a banner reading “Celebration of Kukur Tihar”.&nbsp;Kukur Tihar falls on the second day of the five-day Tihar (also known as Yamapanchak or Deepawali), Nepal’s festival of lights. In 2026, the celebrations run from 7 to 11 November, with Kukur Tihar observed on 8 November alongside Laxmi Puja in the evening.According to tradition, dogs are revered as messengers and guardians linked to Yama, the god of death, who is believed to be accompanied by canine sentinels at the gates of the underworld. Households across Nepal, and Nepali communities abroad, apply tika, place flower garlands around dogs’ necks and feed them favoured foods such as rice, meat, eggs and sweets. Both pet dogs and strays are included in the observances.The Nepal embassy gathering shows the wider practice of the Nepali diaspora in India marking the festival. Similar scenes of garlanded dogs have been widely shared from Kathmandu and other parts of Nepal on the same day, underscoring the festival’s popularity.For many participants, the embassy event offered a way to maintain cultural ties while living away from home. Organisers described the day as an expression of gratitude toward animals that have long been part of Nepali households and folklore.

Nepal's Embassy in New Delhi celebrated Kukur Tihar 2026, honouring dogs with marigold garlands, red tika and special treats as part of the Tihar festival.

The Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi hosted a lively celebration of Kukur Tihar on Sunday, honouring dogs as loyal companions during one of the most distinctive days of the country’s Tihar festival. Chargé d’Affaires Dr Surendra Thapa led the event, joined by members of the Nepali community, diplomats and embassy staff. Dogs present at the gathering were adorned with bright marigold garlands, marked with red tika on their foreheads and offered special treats, in keeping with the day’s traditions. A group photograph taken at the embassy shows participants in traditional Nepali attire standing with several dogs on a white sheet scattered with flower petals, beneath a banner reading “Celebration of Kukur Tihar”. Kukur Tihar falls on the second day of the five-day Tihar (also known as Yamapanchak or Deepawali), Nepal’s festival of lights. In 2026, the celebrations run from 7 to 11 November, with Kukur Tihar observed on 8 November alongside Laxmi Puja in the evening. According to tradition, dogs are revered as messengers and guardians linked to Yama, the god of death, who is believed to be accompanied by canine sentinels at the gates of the underworld. Households across Nepal, and Nepali communities abroad, apply tika, place flower garlands around dogs’ necks and feed them favoured foods such as rice, meat, eggs and sweets. Both pet dogs and strays are included in the observances. The Nepal embassy gathering shows the wider practice of the Nepali diaspora in India marking the festival. Similar scenes of garlanded dogs have been widely shared from Kathmandu and other parts of Nepal on the same day, underscoring the festival’s popularity. For many participants, the embassy event offered a way to maintain cultural ties while living away from home. Organisers described the day as an expression of gratitude toward animals that have long been part of Nepali households and folklore.

Nepal's Embassy in New Delhi celebrated Kukur Tihar 2026, honouring dogs with marigold garlands, red tika and special treats as part of the Tihar festival.

Nepal Embassy in Delhi celebrates Kukur Tihar with garlands and tika for dogs

Watch: Nepal celebrates ‘Kukur Tihar’ one day ahead of Diwali, a festival dedicated to dogs

People in Nepal on Tuesday celebrated the day of the dogs or Kukur Tihar by offering garlands and food to the animals. Kukur (dog) Tihar, which acknowledges the cherished relationship between humans and dogs, falls on day two of Tihar, Nepal's second largest festival, more commonly known as Diwali.

The festival began on Monday with Kaag (crow) Tihar, with devotees worshipping the bird through offerings of food. The Tihar festival is not just about worshipping gods but is also about celebrating the important role animals, especially cows, crows and dogs, play in a human's day to day life, Ram Hari Adhikari, a local priest in Bhaktapur told EFE, adding that the festival marks the victory of good over evil.

"It also means the returning of good-health and wealth prosperity-into people's lives," Adhikari added. The festival of lights and flowers honours Yama, the god of death and worships Laxmi, the goddess of wealth, and is celebrated with fireworks and sweets.

The first day of the festival or Kaag Tihar, is the day of the crow, the messenger of Yama, while the second day or Kukur Tihar is for worshipping dogs, who are considered the agents of Yama.

The five-day festival also marks days dedicated to cows - considered sacred by Hindus - and oxen.

Hindus also believe that during Tihar, the goddess of wealth, Laxmi, will visit their homes if they are lit, clean and beautifully decorated. Homes are cleaned and lit up with fairy lights, earthen lamps and flowers, and windows and doors are left open to welcome the goddess.

Brightly coloured Rangolis - colourful, intricate designs often made with rice flour - decorate entrances to homes and offices to welcome the goddess. Gambling, especially card games, are also popular parts of the festivities and are considered auspicious.

People in Nepal on Tuesday celebrated the day of the dogs or Kukur Tihar by offering garlands and food to the animals. Kukur (dog) Tihar, which acknowledges the cherished relationship between humans and dogs, falls on day two of Tihar, Nepal's second largest festival, more commonly known as Diwali.

People in Nepal on Tuesday celebrated the day of the dogs or Kukur Tihar by offering garlands and food to the animals. Kukur (dog) Tihar, which acknowledges the cherished relationship between humans and dogs, falls on day two of Tihar, Nepal's second largest festival, more commonly known as Diwali. The festival began on Monday with Kaag (crow) Tihar, with devotees worshipping the bird through offerings of food. The Tihar festival is not just about worshipping gods but is also about celebrating the important role animals, especially cows, crows and dogs, play in a human's day to day life, Ram Hari Adhikari, a local priest in Bhaktapur told EFE, adding that the festival marks the victory of good over evil. "It also means the returning of good-health and wealth prosperity-into people's lives," Adhikari added. The festival of lights and flowers honours Yama, the god of death and worships Laxmi, the goddess of wealth, and is celebrated with fireworks and sweets. The first day of the festival or Kaag Tihar, is the day of the crow, the messenger of Yama, while the second day or Kukur Tihar is for worshipping dogs, who are considered the agents of Yama. The five-day festival also marks days dedicated to cows - considered sacred by Hindus - and oxen. Hindus also believe that during Tihar, the goddess of wealth, Laxmi, will visit their homes if they are lit, clean and beautifully decorated. Homes are cleaned and lit up with fairy lights, earthen lamps and flowers, and windows and doors are left open to welcome the goddess. Brightly coloured Rangolis - colourful, intricate designs often made with rice flour - decorate entrances to homes and offices to welcome the goddess. Gambling, especially card games, are also popular parts of the festivities and are considered auspicious.

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Nepal Embassy in Delhi celebrates Kukur Tihar with garlands and tika for dogs

Watch: Nepal celebrates ‘Kukur Tihar’ one day ahead of Diwali, a festival dedicated to dogs

Watch: Nepal celebrates ‘Kukur Tihar’ one day ahead of Diwali, a festival dedicated to dogs