Nepal's Day of the Dog 2022
October 24, 2022
Live from Kathmandu!
Nepal has a delightful tradition of honoring dogs during the celebration of Kukur Tihar. The second day of Tihar, also known as Diwali, is devoted to giving dogs their due by treating them with delicious foods and adorning them with marigold garlands and a bright red tika blesses their forehead.
This cute Spitz lives on the Stupa and has a first hand view of the colorful Rangoli, the powdered mandala meant to draw Laxmi, the Goddess of Wealth into their homes and business.
Hindus believe that dogs can sense forthcoming danger, most importantly death and are specially worshiped on this day. This guy seems pretty chill.
In Hindu mythology, a dog also known as Shvan is regarded as the or vehicle of Bhairava, an avatar of Lord Shiva.
The God of Death also has two watchdogs, who guards the gates of hell. This guy does not like my cowboy hat and is definitely looking askance.
Dogs are a part of the culture of the World Heritage Site of Boudhanath Stupa. Worshipers let sleeping dogs lie.
And this bread saleslady has already adorned her 2 pups who contentedly sleep while she does business.
Today it is a Day of the Dog's life for these pups, but the dogs of Boudha have it pretty good every day.
People line up to buy the marigold and gomphrenia garlands (malla in Nepalese). Some adorn dogs and others are for doorways and people.
To see previous Day of the Dog posts, please go to this link.
If you would like to have your dog (cat, horse, chicken, bunny, bearded dragon, etc.) immortalized on metal here in Nepal, you can send me a photo of your pet. I am now in Kathmandu, Nepal, taking orders.
I will return in early December in plenty of time to deliver for holiday gifts.
You choose the style, the color, what you would like the sign to say...
This hand-painted art form is fast disappearing in Kathmandu, as it already has in most parts of the world. I pay fair trade wages, the artists get to paint again, pet lovers get a choice of three paintings for each commission, and I get to help Nepali artists make a living. Everybody is happy. Rescue dogs from America get to rescue artists from Nepal!
HOW TO ORDER
To order, please send me a photo of your pet. I will give it to three different artists, giving you a choice of 3 paintings and three artists will get work. Each painting is about one square foot and is on metal with synthetic enamel paint. These can be hung indoors or out, be framed or unframed.
While I am in Nepal, your pet will be featured on the Danger Dog Blog, as I stop into the artists' studios and document the works in progress.
Satisfaction is guaranteed as I accept no money up front. If you do not like one of the three, you pay nothing, and the 3 artists are paid in full in any case. Let me know what you want it to say and that's it!
Send your photo to [email protected] or find out more at www.NepalDog.com.
Let's keep these artists painting.
Comments