20th October 2025, Kathmandu
The five-day Nepalese festival of Tihar, also known as Deepawali, reaches its vibrant climax on the third day. This year, the calendar is unique: the celebration of Lakshmi Puja (worshipping the Goddess of Wealth) coincides with Kukur Tihar (Dog Festival).
Lakshmi Puja and Kukur Tihar 2025
This merging of two significant days makes for a powerful and festive occasion across Nepal.
Lakshmi Puja: Inviting the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity
Lakshmi Puja is the most significant ritual of the third day of Tihar. It is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the Hindu deity of wealth, fortune, and prosperity. The evening is known as Sukharatri (Night of Happiness).
Preparing the Home
In alignment with the belief that Goddess Lakshmi only resides in clean spaces, Nepalese homes are thoroughly cleaned, plastered (lipopote), and decorated starting in the morning. Every corner from windows and doors to courtyards and balconies is illuminated with oil lamps and electric lights to welcome the Goddess. This widespread lighting is what gives the festival its alternative name: Deepawali (Row of Lights).
Creating Lakshmi’s Path
In the evening, a sacred path is prepared from the main entrance of the house to the special worship room (Puja Kotha).
This path is cleaned with a mixture of cow dung and red clay, and then decorated with auspicious footprints (Lakshmi’s Paila) drawn with rice flour and vermilion (abir), symbolizing the Goddess’s arrival.
The Worship Rituals
Small oil lamps (diya or pala) are placed along the footprints, creating a glittering walkway. Inside the shrine, an image or idol of Lakshmi is established alongside a holy water pot (kalash) and Lord Ganesh. Offerings typically include cash, gold, silver, rice, fruits, garlands, and the traditional festive sweetbread, Sel Roti.
Honoring Daughters
Following the main puja, young girls and daughters are revered and worshipped as living symbols of the Goddess Lakshmi, and they are given traditional gifts or money (dakshina).
A Key Belief
It is strongly believed that no wealth or significant items should be sent outside the home after the Lakshmi Puja ritual, as this is considered to signify Lakshmi leaving the house.
Kukur Tihar: Honoring the Loyal Companion
Due to the variation in the lunar calendar (tithi), Kukur Tihar, which traditionally falls on the second day of Tihar, is also being celebrated today alongside Lakshmi Puja.
This unique festival is dedicated entirely to honoring dogs for their unwavering loyalty and service.
The Celebration
On this day, every dog, pet, stray, and working dog alike is garlanded with a beautiful flower necklace (Malla), marked with a red Tika on their forehead as a blessing, and offered delicious, hearty food.
Religious Significance
Kukur Tihar is rooted in ancient Hindu mythology. Dogs are seen as the faithful messengers and gatekeepers of Yamaraj, the God of Death. It is believed that by pleasing the dogs on this day, the two guardian dogs of Yamalok, named Shyam and Saba, will ensure a safe passage for devotees after death.
Mythological Context
The celebration also recalls the story of the Dharma Raj Yudhishthira, who was accompanied on his final journey to heaven only by a dog, emphasizing the dog’s qualities of obedience, companionship, and steadfast loyalty (Dharma).
Tihar 2082: A Day of Light, Loyalty, and Prosperity in Nepal
The third day of Tihar in 2025 is a remarkable blend of high spiritual devotion and deep appreciation for nature and loyal companionship.
It beautifully encapsulates the essence of the entire festival, an occasion to celebrate relationships, from the divine connection to Goddess Lakshmi to the earthly bond with man’s best friend.
Don’t forget to clean your home, light your lamps, and show extra love to your furry friends today!
For more: Lakshmi Puja and Kukur Tihar 2025