Police canines were given garlands and paraded during the festival of dogs in Kathmandu, Nepal, on October 25.

The pooches at Nepal Police Canine Division donned marigold garlands and were offered sweets and treats during Kukur Tihar.

Kukur Tihar is a Hindu festival that celebrates the relationship between humans and dogs.

In Nepalese custom, dogs are believed to be messengers of Yamraj, the Hindu god of death and the ceremony is an attempt to appease the diety.

Kukur Tihar, the festival of dogs, is being celebrated across Nepal to mark the second day of the Yamapanchak or Tihar festival on 25th October. Tihar is the second biggest festival of the Nepali Hindus.

Dog, which is an animal well known for being a trustworthy sentry as well as a faithful companion of humans since ancient times, is worshipped once a year on this day. People worship the dog, garland it and offer delicious food today. Dogs, during this festival, are adorned with flowers, have tikka put on their foreheads, and are offered food as part of the ceremony.

In Nepalese customs, dogs are believed to be messengers of Yamraj, or the god of death and the ceremony is an attempt to appease the god. Police dog handlers from the Nepal Police Canine Division in Kathmandu decorated their dogs with marigold garlands and vermillion powder at Central Police Dog Training School in Kathmandu and worshipped the dogs and offered sweets. The dogs also showed their special skills during the event and medals, awards were given to the best dogs.