Kukur Tihar
| Khicha Puja (Kukur Tihar) कुकुर तिहार | |
|---|---|
Dog bedecked with flower garlands | |
| Official name | कुकुर तिहार |
| Also called | Festival of Dogs |
| Type | Religious |
| Significance | honors the loyalty of dogs and their role as companions and protectors |
| Celebrations | Honouring dogs |
| Observances | Prayers and religious rituals |
| Date | Kārtika māsa kṛṣṇa pakṣa chaturdashi tithi |
| Frequency | Annual |
Khicha Puja (also called Kukur Tihar, Narak Chaturdashi, Nepali: कुकुर तिहार) is an annual festival originating from Nepal which falls on the second day of the festival of Swanti or Tihar (around October or November). The second day of Swanti or Tihar, called Khicha Puja or Kukur Tihar, is dedicated to the worship of dogs. On this day, people worship dogs to please Yama, the god of death, as they are considered to be his messengers. Dogs are decorated with shina or tilaka and wear flower garlands around their necks. Worshippers offer them various foods including meat, milk, eggs, and dog food. It is considered a sin if someone acts disrespectfully to a dog on this day.
Khicha puja is also celebrated worldwide by the Nepalese diaspora.