“Mata Tirtha Aunshi”, translated as “Mother Pilgrimage fortnight”, falls in the month of Baishak dark fortnight (April/may). This festival falls in the dark moon’s time, which is why this called “Mata Tirtha Aunshi” derived from words: “Mata” meaning mother; “Tirtha” meaning pilgrimage.
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| Matatirtha Temple and the Waterspout |
This festival is observed in the commemoration and respect of the mother, which is celebrated by worshiping and gifting living mother. On this day the children worship with tika, sagun (egg and bara), sweets, fruits, gifts etc. Mother’s Day is a celebration honoring mothers and celebrating motherhood, maternal bonds and the influence of mothers in society.
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| Worshipping mother |
Those whose mother is passed away they take bath and remember by praying for them in temple. Going to Mata Tirtha Pilgrimage, located towards the eastern side Kathmandu valley at Mata TirthaVillage development committee’s periphery, is another tradition common in Nepal. Previously, people especially from Newar communities and people living in the valley used to celebrate it. Now, this festival is being celebrated by widespread communities.
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| Statue of Mother in Mata Tirtha |
There is a legend regarding this pilgrimage site. In ancient times Lord Krishna’s mother Devakiwondered out her house to sight-see. She visited many places and delayed her return to her house. Lord Krishna was very concerned because of her disappearance. So, he set out to find her. After a long and arduous search he found her. When he reached “Mata Tirtha Kunda“, he happened to see his mother taking bath there, in the spouts of that pond. Lord Krishna was ecstatic when he found her and narrated all of the tragedies that had befallen him in her absence. Mother Devaki said to lord Krishna, “Oh! Son Krishna let then, this place be the pious rendezvous for children to meet their departed mothers”. So, according to legends, since then this place has become a holy pilgrimage site, where people come to pay respect to their deceased mothers. Legend also holds that once a girl saw the image of her deceased mother inside the pond and she jumped into the pond to join her mother in death. Till this day there is a small pond fenced by the iron bars, where it is believed that the above mentioned tragedy occurred
International history and traditions
In most countries, Mother’s Day is a recent observance derived from the holiday as it has evolved in America. When it was adopted by other countries and cultures, it was given different meanings, associated to different events (religious, historical or legendary), and celebrated on a different date or dates.
Some countries already had existing celebrations honoring motherhood, and their celebrations have adopted several external characteristics from the US holiday, like giving carnations and other presents to your own mother.
The extent of the celebrations varies greatly. In some countries, it is potentially offensive to one’s mother not to mark Mother’s Day. In others, it is a little-known festival celebrated mainly by immigrants, or covered by the media as a taste of foreign culture
