Kukur Puja – कुकुर पुजा

The fourteenth day of the lunar dark fortnight (kartik krishna pachaya) of Kartik (October/November) is the day of dogs. This is the second day of the five-day light festival, Dipawali. Nepalis perform ‘kukur’ puja, meaning dog worship on this day.

Stray dogs and domestic dogs wear garlands of marigolds round their necks, and vermillion on their foreheads, and enjoy eating good foods on this day.

Nepalis believe that dogs are the gatekeepers of the deity of the dead called ‘Yam Raj’. Making offerings to dogs once a year keep the dogs happy. The dogs at the gate of ‘Yam Raj’ will let the souls of the dead people entering the word of dead.