Inspired by the ancient Nepali tradition of Kukur Tihar, we celebrate the extraordinary kinship between humans and dogs through gratitude, compassion and community.
Celebrate With Us Discover Kukur TiharKukur Tihar is a 3000-5000 years old Nepali tradition in which dogs are honored with flowers, tika, food and affection. Kukur Tihar USA brings that spirit into American communities—celebrating dogs and the human–dog bond while encouraging compassion for animals everywhere.
Help Kukur Tihar USA build a lasting American tradition
of gratitude for dogs and compassion for all animals.
Through our annual festival on the last Sunday of October,
community events, and educational activities, we celebrate
the bond between humans and dogs, promote responsible pet
ownership and adoption, and inspire kindness across America.
Your contribution helps us reach more communities and build
a future where every dog is valued, respected, and celebrated.
Beyond our annual celebration, our 365-day mission is dedicated to
advocating shelter adoption, animal welfare, and unconditional love for every dog.
Can’t make it to our official Virginia celebration? Honor your dog at home with our easy, step-by-step printable guide. Share your story with #KukurTiharUSA.
Enter your details below to instantly download your 4-Step Home Celebration Guide.
What began as a community celebration in Northern Virginia is growing into a movement rooted in gratitude, compassion, and the special bond between humans and dogs. Every year, we invite more communities to join us in celebrating every dog. Our ultimate goal is to establish Kukur Tihar USA as a nationally recognized annual celebration, officially recognized on the U.S. civic calendar on the last Sunday of October. We envision a day when communities across America come together to honor dogs, celebrate the human–dog bond, and promote gratitude, kindness, and compassion for all animals.
Kukur Tihar USA traces its roots to NAFPE, an organization established in 2017 to advocate for civic and cultural issues. In 2024, we launched Kukur Tihar as a project dedicated to celebrating the special bond between humans and dogs and promoting gratitude, kindness, and compassion for our canine companions. Our inaugural *Day of the Dog Celebration* took place on October 27, 2024, at James Long Park in Haymarket, Virginia, bringing the community together to honor dogs with love and gratitude.
On October 26, 2025, Kukur Tihar USA returned to James S. Long Regional Park in Haymarket, Virginia, building on its inaugural celebration. Dogs and their families gathered for flower garlands, tika, treats, music, and community activities celebrating the human–dog bond. The festival also received congressional recognition from Congressman Suhas Subramanyam, marking an important milestone in our growing mission to inspire gratitude and compassion for dogs across America.
On October 25, Kukur Tihar USA continues its mission with a shelter-focused celebration in partnership with Prince William County Animal Services Center in Manassas, Virginia, highlighting compassion, adoption awareness, and the value of every dog.
Our vision is to bring more communities, animal shelters, volunteers, and partners together to make Kukur Tihar a recognized annual American celebration of gratitude for dogs—one community at a time.
Experience the vibrant colors, wagging tails, and heartfelt moments from our past celebrations. Each photograph captures the beautiful bond between families and their loyal companions, showcasing the true spirit of gratitude, kinship, and community that makes Kukur Tihar USA so special.
Highlights from Kukur Tihar USA 2026 at the Prince William County Animal Services Center! Community members, local leaders, and animal advocates gathered to share traditional blessings and place deserving shelter dogs on the red carpet. Together, we proved that honoring our dogs means inspiring shelter adoption.
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2026 · PHOTO 12The festival Continues October 26th 2025, James Long Park, Haymarket, VA.
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2025 · PHOTO 12The inaugural festival celebrated October 27th 2024, James Long Park, Haymarket, VA.
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2024 · PHOTO 12“Dogs give us unconditional love- and today, we returned it with celebration and honor,” stated founder Jewan Tiwari during the opening ceremony. “Kukur Tihar USA is more than a festival. It’s a movement to build compassion in our communities, one pawprint at a time. Let's celebrate this beautiful festival every year on the last Sunday in October.” - Jewan Tiwari
Dogs have lived beside us, worked beside us, protected us, comforted us and shared our homes for generations. Kukur Tihar gives us a day to say thank you.
Kukur Tihar USA is exploring partnerships with animal shelters and community organizations to bring gratitude, cultural connection and compassion to dogs waiting for their forever homes.
Partner With Kukur Tihar USAFrom our first celebration in Virginia to a growing annual tradition, explore the stories highlighting Kukur Tihar USA, our community, and our mission to celebrate gratitude for dogs.
Celebrate with your dog. Invite your family. Partner with a shelter. Organize a community gathering. Help us grow a tradition of gratitude and kinship across America.
Get Involved Follow & ShareJewan and Himali Tiwari launched the first U.S. Kukur Tihar celebration in Virginia in 2024 with a shared vision of building a lasting American tradition of gratitude for dogs. Through community engagement, cultural celebration, and a commitment to compassion for animals, they are working to bring this tradition to communities across America.
Co-Founder
Cultural festival founder and animal compassion advocate, working to establish Kukur Tihar USA as a
lasting American tradition that celebrates the special bond between humans and dogs while inspiring compassion for all animals.
Jewan Tiwari is Managing Director of Oval Business Group and
CEO of FranMerica.com
Co-Founder
Co-founder of Kukur Tihar USA, helping advance the shared vision of a community tradition rooted in gratitude, kindness, and compassion for dogs. She is dedicated to bringing people together through cultural celebration and inspiring a more compassionate world for animals.