(photo from Cute Overload)Earlier this week the dog worship festival was celebrated in Nepal.I read about it in my newspaper and thought I must post it here.Sheeba wants to immigrate to Nepal.LOL
Taken from Hindustan Times -
The proverb—Every dog has his day — literally came true on Monday when people in Nepal, the world's last Hindu nation, worshipped their dogs with utmost devotion.
Despite the transformation of Nepal into a “secular nation”, people did not forget to worship their dogs on the day of Kukur Tihar, and protect their families from destruction. The festival is also known as Narak Chaturdashi.
Big red tikas (red dots)— a paste of vermilion, curd and rice — were put on dogs' foreheads and were garlanded.
“It (Kukur Tihar) is a very important festival in our society, and there cannot be any change in the tradition,” says Sunil Shrestha, a young entrepreneur.
Even street dogs are also worshiped and are garlanded on the occasion. After worshiping the dogs, delicious meals were served to them. The Hindus appease their dogs because the canine is also the steed of Bhairab, the god of destruction.
“We Hindus in Nepal worship dog to guard our house from destruction,” Pallavi Sharma, a housewife in Kathmandu said. However, Hindus in India generally do not worship dogs.
Dogs have always been associated with the Hindu mythology and culture. Even in the epic Mahabharat, dogs accompanied Dharmaraj Yudhisthir and his four other brothers during their journey to heaven.
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The proverb—Every dog has his day — literally came true on Monday when people in Nepal, the world's last Hindu nation, worshipped their dogs with utmost devotion.
Despite the transformation of Nepal into a “secular nation”, people did not forget to worship their dogs on the day of Kukur Tihar, and protect their families from destruction. The festival is also known as Narak Chaturdashi.
Big red tikas (red dots)— a paste of vermilion, curd and rice — were put on dogs' foreheads and were garlanded.
“It (Kukur Tihar) is a very important festival in our society, and there cannot be any change in the tradition,” says Sunil Shrestha, a young entrepreneur.
Even street dogs are also worshiped and are garlanded on the occasion. After worshiping the dogs, delicious meals were served to them. The Hindus appease their dogs because the canine is also the steed of Bhairab, the god of destruction.
“We Hindus in Nepal worship dog to guard our house from destruction,” Pallavi Sharma, a housewife in Kathmandu said. However, Hindus in India generally do not worship dogs.
Dogs have always been associated with the Hindu mythology and culture. Even in the epic Mahabharat, dogs accompanied Dharmaraj Yudhisthir and his four other brothers during their journey to heaven.
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Today is dog worship day in Nepal. From a description of Nepalese festivals:
Quote:
The second day is called 'Kukur tihar', dogs day. A dog plays many roles in our society. We have dogs in our houses as guardian of the house. As the legend also says that there is a dog at yama's gate guarding the gate to the underworld. The dog is also the steed of the fearful Bhairab, the god of destruction. So on this day a big red tika is put on a dog's forehead and a beautiful garland around the neck. After worshipping the dog, it is given very delicious meal. This day the saying 'every dog has his day' comes true; for even a stray dog is looked upon with respect. We pray to the dog to guard our house as he guards the gate of the underworld and to divert destruction away from our homes. On this day you can see dogs running around with garlands on their neck. Happy kukur tihar!
Quote:
The second day is called 'Kukur tihar', dogs day. A dog plays many roles in our society. We have dogs in our houses as guardian of the house. As the legend also says that there is a dog at yama's gate guarding the gate to the underworld. The dog is also the steed of the fearful Bhairab, the god of destruction. So on this day a big red tika is put on a dog's forehead and a beautiful garland around the neck. After worshipping the dog, it is given very delicious meal. This day the saying 'every dog has his day' comes true; for even a stray dog is looked upon with respect. We pray to the dog to guard our house as he guards the gate of the underworld and to divert destruction away from our homes. On this day you can see dogs running around with garlands on their neck. Happy kukur tihar!
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