Tihar - Dog Festival

Today marks the beginning of Tihar, the Nepali festival of lights.  The festival lasts several days and each day is dedicated to an animal or object.  We celebrated the dog festival this morning.  Hari, our gardener made the traditional garland of marigolds placed it around Roxy's neck and put a mark of bright color on her forehead.  The mark symbolizes the pooja which is a blessing for the animal.

Nepal has a near endless supply of street dogs.  I marvel  as they slump sleepily in the middle of the street for a late afternoon nap. Typically these dogs are considered a nuisance but today is their special day.  As we drove through Kathmandu every dog trotted along wearing a garland.  While their posture usually typifies the saying, "hang dog" today the dogs of Kathmandu seemed to trot along with more pep in their step.  My driver told me, "Today is the day of dogs.  Today we will get them good food. Tomorrow we will throw rocks at them again."