Dogs in Nepal are decked with marigold garlands and bright vermillion paint to celebrate a day dedicated to them as part of a Hindu festival. Kukur Tihar, the second day of the five-day Tihar festival, is reserved for worshipping dogs as agents of Yamaraj, the god of death, and for appreciating their loyalty and companionship to humans. Nepal's armed police holds a special ritual to honour and worship their canine force. "It is a special day," says Ramesh Pokharel, chief of the Animal Health and Dog Handler section of the Armed Police Force. "Our dogs have helped us a lot, so the security personnel feel happy to celebrate this." IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES