We All Love Our Faithful Companions
They jump you as soon as you get home. They’re persistent in urging you to take them on long walks. They treat every corner, any corner, as their bathroom and they make you clean up after them. They love sharing your food except for chocolates, and they hate taking baths. If you think I’m talking about your spouse, think again.
We still love them but, should we do this to them?
The Nepalese Hindu festival of Tihar, popularly known as the festival of lights, is celebrated mainly in Nepal and the Indian states of Assam and Sikkim. It is a five-day festivity, practiced annually to commemorate the Hindu Goddess of Wealth Laxmi and where the second day is committed to our adorable furry friends.
Keep reading…
Why Celebrate Dogs?
5 Days In Tihar Festival:
- Kaag Tihar – Worshiping Crows.
- Kukur Tihar – Dedicated to Dogs.
- Laxmi Puja – Devotion to Cows / Goddess Laxmi.
- Govardhan Puja – Committed to Oxen.
- Bhai Tika – In honor of Brothers & Sisters.
Dogs are well-revered in the Hindu belief that is why during the Kukur Puja, or the “Day of the Dogs,” they are trimmed with garlands and given not just Scooby snacks, but attention that is simply overwhelming. During this celebration pups are adorned with a red mark on their foreheads called a tilaka, which is a symbol of spirituality and honor, which also ensures them a long life.
Dogs on this day are treated like royalty since canines are perceived to be the messengers of Yama, the Hindu god of death. As the story goes, Yama turned out to be a dog person as he always sits on his throne with two dogs by his side. The dogs named Shyama and Sabala, each of them has four eyes, were assigned by Indra the king of Svarga (Heaven) to guard Yama’s sanctuary. There were times when they would moonlight as his messengers which probably explain the relationship that dogs have with mailmen.
Where This Believe Comes From?
It was also believed that Yama took the form of a dog to escort Yudhistira, a Hindu king, during their final journey. Along the way, Yudhistira loses his brothers and his wife, but the loyal dog didn’t leave him until he reached the gates of Heaven. The myth says that Yudhishtira, appalled by the kindness and loyalty shown to him by the dog, refused to enter heaven without the dog.
Another account states that Samsara, the mother of dogs, helped Indra recover his stolen cattle from demons. Also, Bhairava, an embodiment of Lord Shiva, rides a dog probably as huge as the dog in Sesame Street as his horse.
How About Stray Dogs?
No dog gets left behind during this feast day as even the strays, considered a delicacy in some parts of the globe, get showered with love, affection, and biscuits. Animal rights activists’ plea to stop feeding dogs human food falls on deaf ears as there is no stopping festival visitors and their paw-rents from spoiling their four-legged companions during this day. Even the sprucing up with the use of flowers is shunned as it is deemed uncomfortable to mutts is ignored as the Hindus believe this tribute to appease their Gods.
Mexico boasts of their one-of-a-kind Day of the Dead celebration which is held at the end of October which is coincidentally around the same time the Tihar happens in Nepal. Since 2016, Mexico has adopted the Day of the Dogs festival so don’t get surprised to see a deluge of Instagram photos of smeared chihuahuas adorning garlands and being treated to tacos and burritos.
What Do They Feed Them For The Festival?
Stimulated by the Nepali festival to increase awareness about the respect humans owe to all animals, it has gained thousands of advocates and dogs, in particular, have been revered and honored.
Owners feed dogs their favorite treats and mess around with pets Kukur Tihar-style on street parties which included vibrant drapes, banners, and gorgeous multi-colored mats decked across the celebration grounds.
Loyalty and friendliness are the most captivating characteristics of dogs. They work as K-9 police dogs, shepherds at farms, pull sleds in the snow, trackers, burglar alarms, guides for the visually impaired and so much more. Dog day afternoons in layman’s terms depict humidity and discomfort. But in Nepal and some parts of the world, it’s a time for love and warmth for man’s best friends.
Source: Image from BBC
Source: Video from @Zazu Talks via YouTube
