Nepal’s First Lady Sabina Kafle Wants the World to Know About Kukur Tihar, the Festival Celebrating Dogs

Cultural Desk, Delhi Magazine: Nepal’s Prime Minister Balen Shah’s wife, Sabina Kafle, wants to introduce the country’s unique Kukur Tihar tradition to a wider international audience. On November 8, she shared pictures from the celebration on Instagram, showing dogs receiving flower garlands and tika as part of the traditional festival.

Kukur Tihar is a special part of Nepal’s five-day Tihar festival, during which dogs are honoured for their loyalty, companionship and protective role in human lives. They are traditionally decorated with marigold garlands, given a red tika on their foreheads and offered special food.

Sharing pictures from the celebration, Sabina explained that Kukur Tihar is more than a festival. She described it as a celebration of the bond between humans and animals, built on loyalty, trust and unconditional love.

Sabina Kafle Wants to Take Nepal’s Tradition to the World

Sabina also organised a special Kukur Tihar programme at Narayanchaur in Kathmandu on November 8. The event brought together ministers, foreign diplomats, artists and people from different fields to participate in the celebrations.

According to reports from Nepal, the programme aimed to promote the tradition internationally and introduce the country’s cultural connection with animals to people around the world.

Speaking at the event, Sabina highlighted that Kukur Tihar should not remain limited to a religious celebration. She wants the festival to spread a wider message of love, compassion and respect for animals.

She also stressed that animal welfare should not be limited to one day of celebration. Responsible dog care, vaccination, medical treatment and proper management are important throughout the year.

Why Nepal Celebrates Kukur Tihar

Kukur Tihar is associated with the Hindu belief that dogs are connected with Yama, the god of death. They are traditionally regarded as his messengers and are honoured for their loyalty and protective nature.

During the festival, both household pets and stray dogs receive special attention. People offer them food, apply tika and decorate them with colourful flower garlands.

The tradition is one of the most distinctive features of Nepal’s Tihar celebrations, which also include rituals honouring crows, cows and other animals.

Like India’s Diwali celebrations, Nepal also celebrates its own five-day festival of lights, known as Tihar, which includes unique traditions honouring animals. Delhi Magazine has also explained the religious significance and traditions of Choti Diwali in India.

Through her message, Sabina Kafle is highlighting a tradition that connects religious beliefs with kindness towards animals. Her appeal to promote Kukur Tihar internationally also puts the spotlight on Nepal’s cultural heritage and the importance of responsible animal care.