The proverb—Every dog has his day — literally came true on Monday when people in Nepal, the world's last Hindu nation, worshipped their dogs with utmost devotion.
Despite the transformation of Nepal into a “secular nation”, people did not forget to worship their dogs on the day of Kukur Tihar, and protect their families from destruction. The festival is also known as Narak Chaturdashi.
Big red tikas — a paste of vermilion, curd and rice — were put on dogs' foreheads and were garlanded.
“It (Kukur Tihar) is a very important festival in our society, and there cannot be any change in the tradition,” says Sunil Shrestha, a young entrepreneur.
Even street dogs are also worshiped and are garlanded on the occasion. After worshiping the dogs, delicious meals were served to them. The Hindus appease their dogs because the canine is also the steed of Bhairab, the god of destruction.
“We Hindus in Nepal worship dog to guard our house from destruction,” Pallavi Sharma, a housewife in Kathmandu said. However, Hindus in India generally do not worship dogs.
Dogs have always been associated with the Hindu mythology and culture. Even in the epic Mahabharat, dogs accompanied Dharmaraj Yudhisthir and his four other brothers during their journey to heaven.