Adorable pictures show Nepalese policemen worshipping their service dogs to celebrate the much revered Kukur Tihar or dog festival.
Nepalese Hindus celebrate the beautiful bond between them and their furry friends a day before Diwali or the festival of lights, every year.
Be it pets or strays, dogs are decked up with garlands and wreaths of flowers and adorned with vermilion as a show of respect.
They are also given special treats including milk, eggs, meat, high-quality dog food or anything that one likes to eat after the ceremony.
The police dogs get the day off from being law-enforcers and instead are showered with love and affection.
Footage from Central Police Dog Training School in Kathmandu show the officers taking their pets for a parade before smearing them with powder colours and garlands.
In Hindu mythology, the God of Death has two watchdogs who guard the gates of Hell.
People from the Hindu community in the tiny Himalayan country believe that the most-trusted animals can sense any impending danger and save them from any mishap.
(With Inputs from AP)
Video Editor: Sandeep Suman
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