Photos: This Festival That Thanks Dogs for Being Our Friends Is the Best Thing You’ll See Today

(ANTIMEDIA) — Humanity has been struggling, plagued with war, oppression, corruption, and hatred. But in Nepal, humans are doing at least one thing right. On Wednesday, Hindus held a celebration to honor dogs, who, for many, are objectively more likable than people in 2017.

Millions of people around the world celebrated the Diwali festival of light last week, and in Nepal, the festivities included several days to honor animals. Kukur Tihar is intended to honor dogs specifically, and participants perform the rituals for pet dogs and strays alike.

As the Indian Express explained:

“For the festival, pets and strays are treated alike and are decked with garlands, which is a way of showing respect. The dogs are also adorned with red tika or tilak, with kumkum or gulaal along with rice and yogurt, very similar to any tilak ritual in Hindu tradition. After the puja, the dogs are given special treats and lot of food to eat. As far as dogs are concerned this is the best part of the festival for them — the treats include milk, eggs, meat, high-quality dog food or anything that one likes.”

As the Huffington Post noted, the festival in their honor serves “highlight the strong bond between human beings and canines.”

Dogs are relevant to Hindu mythology and tradition. “[I]t is believed that dogs are guardians of the lord of the dead and also guard the gates of the afterlife,” the Huffington Post explained.

As in many cultures, Hindu beliefs regard dogs as loyal companions, so it’s no surprise the tradition is spreading to other areas, from Bangalore to Michigan.

Dogs are not the only animals who receive a special day in the Nepalese festivals. Other days of Diwali in Nepal include celebrations for crows, ravens, cows, and oxen.

Moon day is on October 19. It is also the Kukur Tihar festival in Nepal. All dogs are marked with the red tika, symbolizing the dog as a devotee of the righteous path and as an object of devotion. The tika imbues the dog with an air of sacredness and acts as a blessing to those who encounter them during the festival. . #ashtanga #ashtangayoga #ashtangayogavancouver #vancouver #kukurtihar #nepal #mysore #yoga #yogainspiration #yogamotivation #yogaeverydamnday #dog

A post shared by Ashtanga Yoga Vancouver (@ashtangayogavancouver) on Oct 18, 2017 at 10:52am PDT

//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js

It’s #KukurTihar in Nepal today! A day just to worship our furry friends. Hope you all have a wonderful #Tihar/#Diwali! Photo by @lhasa.bella. #festival #nepal #wanderlust #dogsofinstagram

A post shared by Kaligarh (@kaligarh) on Oct 18, 2017 at 12:36am PDT

//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js

It's 2nd day of Tihar Happy Kukur Tihar! ☺ Photo: Anup Raut #nepal #nepal8thwonder #wow #wownepal #nepalisbeautiful #explore #explorenepal #festivals #festivalsofnepal #tihar #kukurtihar #travelnepal #awesomenepal #visitnepal #dogs Hashtag 👉 #nepal8thwonder 👈 to share your Nepal stories and get featured ☺

A post shared by 'Nepal' 8th wonder of world (@nepal8thwonder_) on Oct 17, 2017 at 6:58pm PDT

//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js

@__doglovers Kukur (Dog) Tihar The second day is called Kukur Tihar or Kukur Puja (worship of the dogs). Dog, which is believed to be messenger of Lord Yamaraj, the God of death, is worshiped once a year on this day. People offer garlands, tika and delicious food to the dogs, and acknowledge the cherished relationship between humans and the dogs. -Central Police Dog Training School in Kathmandu, Nepal. #kukurtihar #festival #nepal

A post shared by Everest Basecamp Trek (@everest.trek) on Oct 17, 2017 at 11:13pm PDT

//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js

Truly Mans Best Friend 🐶❤️ #Lucky #KukurTihar

A post shared by Sharad Vesawkar (@sharadcric) on Oct 18, 2017 at 5:01am PDT

//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js

The fact that we can grow so close to another species always amazes me. It's as if dogs are like the gateway love — if we can deeply care for, and be cared for by, another creature so completely different from us, then why can't this be applied to everything? Other animals, trees, people, galaxies? At least, dear Lucy, that's the kind of thing you make me feel pretty much every morning. Grateful for you. Dispatch from #KukurTihar the best day of the year. #ILoveLucy #DayOfTheDog #MuttOfLeisure

A post shared by Ben Ayers (@jetbutterflies) on Oct 18, 2017 at 2:02am PDT

//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js

@__doglovers Kukur (Dog) Tihar The second day is called Kukur Tihar or Kukur Puja (worship of the dogs). Dog, which is believed to be messenger of Lord Yamaraj, the God of death, is worshiped once a year on this day. People offer garlands, tika and delicious food to the dogs, and acknowledge the cherished relationship between humans and the dogs. -Central Police Dog Training School in Kathmandu, Nepal. #kukurtihar #festival #nepal

A post shared by Everest Basecamp Trek (@everest.trek) on Oct 17, 2017 at 11:13pm PDT

//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js

A house is never lonely where a loving dog waits. <3 #Kukurtihar Pic : PraBesh Acharya

A post shared by Routine of Nepal banda (@routineofnepalbanda) on Oct 17, 2017 at 10:02pm PDT

//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js

Our artisans in Nepal are taking some time off for a special holiday- Diwali, the festival of lights, or "Deepawali" as called by the Nepali people. It is a time where people celebrate the triumph of light over darkness. But the Nepalese Hinduism is unique in celebrating this holiday as they designate days to honor not just humans and gods, but also all animals like Crows, Dogs, Oxen. ⠀ ⠀ The second day, Kukur Tihar, is dedicated to worshiping and appreciating dogs. Adorned in flower necklaces, and bright tika powders, dogs are honored for their special friendship and loyalty with humans. ⠀ ⠀ Love this so much ✨✨ wishing our friends in Nepal a wonderful holiday. Give your pups some extra love this week ;)⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #deepawali #dogs #kukurtihar #mansbestfriend #doglover #diwali #nepali #nepal #nepalese #wanderlust #festival #honor #love #light #compassion #friends #support #

A post shared by Artefacts Collection (@artefactscollection) on Oct 19, 2017 at 8:15am PDT

//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js

Kukur (dog) Tihar, the 2nd day of the Tihar festival was observed across Nepal yesterday. Dogs are decorated and given a feast fit for royalty – even street dogs! There is a very special relationship between people and dogs in Nepal as they were one of the first domesticated animals. 📍Follow link in bio to learn more about the role dogs play in the Tihar (or Diwali) Festival . . . . #australiandoglover #dogherostories #KukurTihar #dogfestival #dogcelebration . #dogsofaustralia #dogsdownunder #dogloversofaustralia #dogsofmelbourne #melbournedogs #dogsofsydney #sydneydogs #dogsofbrisbane #brisbanedogs #dogsofsunshinecoast #dogsofgoldcoast #dogsofperth #dogsofadelaide #dogsofhobart #dogsofcanberra #ilovemydog #furbaby #kukurtiharfestival #amazingnepal #dogsofnepal #dogsofkathmandu

A post shared by Australian Dog Lover (@australiandoglover) on Oct 19, 2017 at 12:50am PDT

//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js

1of 3: DID YOU KNOW? Yesterday we had a festival (Kukur Tihar) to honour dogs for their special relationship with humans. ❤❤❤ TAG someone or SHARE this if you think it's nice. 🙂 Photo courtesy: Xinhua News Agency & Pacific Press

A post shared by Planetlocal.co (@planetlocal) on Oct 19, 2017 at 6:11am PDT

//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js

Day of respect and thanks to the dogs in Nepal #kukurtihar #nepal #dog

A post shared by Linda Femke Ris (@lindafemkeris) on Oct 19, 2017 at 6:14am PDT

//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js

Jack deserves to be worshipped for his naughty actions #diwali #kukurtihar #dog #jackrussell #terrier #jackrussellterrier #dogsofinstagram #love #worship #celebration #fun

A post shared by Ankur Jain (@ankur_jan) on Oct 19, 2017 at 3:26am PDT

//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js

#thedogandthebaby #kukurtihar

A post shared by Swati (@swatiss) on Oct 18, 2017 at 1:28am PDT

//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js

"Every dog has its day."#KukurTihar pic.twitter.com/j9zrafyqiJ

— Pujan Shrestha (@p_shrestha1) October 18, 2017

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Photojournalist Bikram Rai captures moments of the Kukur Tihar at the Police Training Academy, Maharajgunj#Tihar #Dogs #Nepal #KukurTihar pic.twitter.com/OZjZkRuIqQ

— Nepali Times (@nepalitimes) October 18, 2017

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Kukur (dog) Tihar, the second day of the Tihar festival, is being observed across the country on Wednesday. #kukurtihar #tihar #deewali pic.twitter.com/vqOrijhCt5

— Naturally Nepal (@natnpl) October 17, 2017

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

#KukurTihar #festive_vibe #Dog_festival #HappyDeepawali
Today we celebrate and worship man's best friend… pic.twitter.com/D5nf9ZHtAY

— Piya🌹Rai🇳🇵 (@_Damnkarla) October 18, 2017

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Creative Commons / Anti-Media / Report a typo