By james art KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Dogs in Nepal were honored during the annual Kukur Puja festival Thursday, with offerings of flower garlands, treats and cinnabars on their heads.
In Nepal, the second day of Tihar – also known as Diwali — is the Kukur Puja dedicated to dogs. Pet owners and others perform rituals in honor of both pets and stray dogs.
At the Armed Police Force’s canine center in Kathmandu, handlers celebrated their service dogs.
At least eight dogs were lined up for the ritual, and they later demonstrated skills such as jumping through circles of fire and following commands such as stand up on their hind legs and fetch.
Nepal Armed Police Forces prepare with their dog for worship at their kennel during the Kukkur Tihar festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024. Every year, dogs are honored to recognize their role in providing security during the second day of the five-day Tihar Hindu festival. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Nepal Armed Police Force personnel worship their dogs at their kennel during the Kukkur Tihar festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024. Every year, dogs are worshiped to recognize their role in providing security during the second day of the five-day Tihar Hindu festival. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A Nepal Armed Police Force dog sits decorated with a garland of flowers after being bowed down at their kennel during the Kukkur Tihar festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024. Every year the dogs are honored to acknowledged their role in providing security on the second day of the five-day Tihar Hindu festival. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
“Today we honor these dogs for their invaluable contribution as they resolutely help keep us safe, from detecting explosives to rescuing those in need during disasters,” said Ram Narayan KC, Deputy Chief of the Canine Branch .
In predominantly Hindu Nepal, dogs are believed to be messengers of Yamraj, the god of death, and worshiping them is said to give him pleasure.
The five-day Tihar festival begins with the worship of crows, followed by dogs and then cows, which are considered sacred in Nepal.
The other two days include one in honor of the goddess of wealth Lakshmi. On the last day, the sisters gather to pray for the well-being of their brothers.
An officer of the Nepal Armed Police Forces bows to a dog at their kennel during the Kukkur Tihar festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024. Every year, dogs are bowed to recognize their role in providing security during the second day of the five-day long Hindu Tihar festival. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
The Nepal Armed Police Force prepares with their dog to display skills at their kennel during the Kukkur Tihar festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024. Every year, dogs are honored to recognize their role in providing of security on the second day of the five-day Tihar Hindu festival. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A Nepal Armed Police Force dog shows off skills at their kennel during the Kukkur Tihar festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024. Every year, dogs are honored to recognize their role in providing security on the second day of five days Tihar Hindu festival. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A Nepal Armed Police Force dog shows off skills at their kennel during the Kukkur Tihar festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024. Every year, dogs are honored to recognize their role in providing security on the second day of five days Tihar Hindu festival. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
The Nepal Armed Police Force prepares with its dog to display skills at their kennel during the Kukkur Tihar festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024. Every year, dogs are honored to recognize their role in providing security on the second day of the five-day Tihar Hindu festival. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A dog from the Nepal Armed Police Force displays skills at their kennel during the Kukkur Tihar festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024. Every year, dogs are honored to recognize their role in providing security on the second day of five days Tihar Hindu festival. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A member of the Nepal Armed Police Force bows to a dog at their kennel during the Kukkur Tihar festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024. Every year, dogs are bowed to recognize their role in providing security during the second day of the five-day long Hindu Tihar festival. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)