🙏🏻 Wait, There’s a Dog Worshipping Festival?

Nepal Has The World’s Ultimate Dog Celebration

People worship cows in India, cats in Ancient Egypt, and dogs in Nepal and India. There’s a longer list of which animals are worshipped in which countries at the end of this article, but I kept it short for the intro here.

As if there weren’t enough reasons to visit Nepal, around October or November (it’s different every year), Nepal celebrates Tihar, a five-day Hindu festival celebrating animals’ sacred and unique bond with humans. Tihar is the second-most important festival in Nepal after Dashain. It celebrates the victory of good over evil, akin to Diwali in India. Tihar is one of the biggest festivals of Hindu Nepalese people around the world.

In Nepali culture, it is believed that gratitude and worship shown to animals and Gods will bring success and luck into people's lives.

The celebration of dogs happens on day 2, known as Kukur Tihar. “Kukur” means "dog" in Nepali.

Cultural Expert Bhimsen Sapkota says this is a day for respecting dogs for their loyalty and service to humankind.

Images from the festival look like how I’d like to spend every day with my dog — just showering her in love and adoration.

On the 2nd day of the festival, dogs are worshipped, bathed, and decorated with tilaka, which is made from kumkuma or gulal powders with rice and yoghurt. Flower garlands are draped around their necks and they are offered food including meat, milk, eggs, and dog food. Hindu mythology believes that feeding a dog and making it happy will help to move away all sins committed in everyday life. Police dogs and stray dogs are also honored.

5 Days

Tihar is celebrated over the course of 5 days, with each day dedicated to the celebration of a different animal:

1. Day 1 – KAAG TIHAR - This day is devoted to crows, considered as the messenger of death. By pleasing them, it is hoped that they would not bring any news of sorrow to the family.

2. Day 2 – KUKUR TIHAR - On this day, dogs are worshiped.

3. Day 3 – LAXMI POOJA - The goddess of wealth is worshipped. On this day, Hindus across the country pay homage to cows, which are considered sacred animals.

4. DAY 4 – GORU PUJA - This day is devoted to oxen.

5. DAY 5 – BHAITIKA - On this day, sisters worship their brother for their long life. Sisters give sweets, fruits as well as other special food items to their brothers. In return, brothers give gifts and money to their sisters.

Beyond the Celebration

Street dogs have long been an issue in Kathmandu, where over 60,000 homeless dogs roam the streets without owners, with many locals treating them like a nuisance.

Events like Kukur Tihar have been instrumental in helping shift the attitude towards the growing number of stray dogs in Nepal, "On the day of the Festival of Dogs, I want to convey the message that humans should show compassion and love to dogs and feed them as much as we can," Lalitpur Mayor Chiri Babu Maharjan said after honoring paralyzed dogs at the Sneha Care animal shelter.

In addition to events like Kukur Tihar, the efforts of organizations like Street Dog Care and other non-government organizations have made significant progress towards improving the health and overall welfare of the stray dogs in Nepal.

Street Dog care manager Juju Tamang set up their treatment services in the streets every weekend raising awareness, and caring for the thousands of dogs in each of the neighborhoods they visit.

It’s organizations like Street Dog Care that make the largest impact in actually treating these animals, while also raising awareness for the necessary funds required to sterilize and protect the city’s dogs — and fortunately their efforts are paying off. According to the Kathmandu Post, recently the Food Quality Inspection and Livestock Division under the Health Department of the KMC (Kathmandu Medical College) has announced that it will provide necessary funds for sterilization and anti-rabies vaccines that will be granted to the appropriate organizations, including SDC.

If you would like to donate to Street Dog Care, or even adopt one of the dogs, there are links on the SDC site, explaining what and how to donate, as well as the process of taking in one of Kathmandu’s street dogs.

And finally, to close out the beginning of this piece, people worship grey wolves in Turkey, snakes in North America, Wild Bulls in Greece, Crocodiles in Egypt (def not in Florida), Damascus goats in Syria, Tigers in Korea, and Dragons in China. Comment below if we missed any!

💨 The Return of Dachtoberfest!!

There’s very little I could write that could properly illustrate just how adorable Dachshunds are when they run. So thankfully, the Richmond Raceway did the world a favor and hosted the 2nd Annual Dachtoberfest last weekend.

The event drew dogs from all over the state to go head-to-head in races as well as costume contests.

If you wanna see a bunch of little hot dogs shimmy down a little runway together, go ahead and click HERE.

Dachtobertfest is put on by the Dachshund Enlightenment Foundation.

Overheard at a coffee shop:

“The Squeeze”: Dog News In 60 Seconds

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• 🎥 Here’s a list of cinema’s most memorable dogs.

• 💰 ‘Paw Patrol 2’ just crushed the opening weekend box office.

• 👀 ‘Paw Patrol 2’ broke records in the Phillipines for the most dogs to attend a movie screening.

• 🎮 ‘Persona 3 Reload’ Confirms Adorable Feature Fans Have Been Wanting

• 📺 I’d watch this for HOURS! DogTV isn’t just for dogs anymore…

• 🏀 The ENTIRE Air Bud Collection coming to Disney+

• 🥹 A 6-legged dog has been found in a small Welsh town. Her name is Ariel.

• 🚴 Leave it to Pittsburgh to host the country’s most awesome fundraiser for Veteran Service Dogs.

Today’s Last Laugh:

“That’s good.” - David Letterman

@cashholler

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