KATHMANDU, Nov 8: The third day of Tihar, Nepal’s second biggest festival, is being celebrated today by worshipping dogs, regarded as protectors of the home, and offering them special food in recognition of their loyalty and service.
Although Kukur Tihar usually falls on the second day of Yamapanchak, the five-day Tihar festival, it falls on the third day this year due to changes in the lunar calendar, according to the Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Bikas Samiti.
The committee’s chairperson, Associate Professor Dr Purushottam Bhattarai, said Narak Chaturdashi and Kukur Tihar should be observed on the day when Chaturdashi prevails at sunrise.
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Religious scholar Professor Dr Ramchandra Gautam said Kukur Tihar is observed based on the religious belief that offering special food to dogs on the 14th day of the waning moon in Kartik will persuade Shyam and Sabal, the two dogs who guard Yamaraj’s gates, to clear the way for the deceased travelling to the underworld.
According to religious belief, a dog born during the Vaivaswata Manvantara also accompanied Yudhishthira on his journey to heaven.
Dogs are regarded as obedient domestic animals and reliable guardians. The number of people who believe that keeping a dog at home helps prevent heart disease and diabetes has also been increasing.
Narak Chaturdashi
Religious scholar Gautam said Narak Chaturdashi also involves a ritual bath early in the morning, around sunrise. People visit sacred sites, rivers or ponds to bathe and perform tarpan, a ritual offering to deceased ancestors.
They then light an oil lamp dedicated to Yama, facing south, and set it afloat. According to religious belief, performing this ritual ensures that one does not have to witness hell after death. The practice of setting the lamp afloat is known as Narke Bagaune.
It is customary to apply sesame oil before bathing on all five days of Yamapanchak, or Tihar. According to Ayurvedic belief, the practice promotes good health. Tihar is therefore also observed as a festival associated with health and well-being.
