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 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.
“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.