On Nepal’s day to honour dogs, wild canines face mounting threats

As Hindus around the world celebrate the festival of lights, also known as Tihar (Diwali or Deepawali), the Nepali variation of the event sees the faithful venerate their dogs as protectors and loyal human companions.

On the second day of the five-day Tihar festival, devotees adorn their canine friends with garlands and feed them delicacies. The practice is seen as a way of pleasing Yama, the god of death and justice, who in Hindu lore has dogs as his vahana , or assistants.