Devotees flock to Matatirtha for Mother's Day observance

Kathmandu. A large number of devotees have gathered at the sacred Matatirtha Pond in Chandragiri Municipality, Kathmandu, since early Friday morning to bathe and offer prayers. On the occasion of 'Matatirtha Aunsi,' celebrated annually on the day of Baisakh Krishna Paksha Aunsi to honor mothers, crowds of pilgrims have flocked to the pond located in Chandragiri Municipality-6 to pay homage to the image of their mothers and perform Shraddha and Tarpan rituals.

Many devotees, in memory of their late mothers, stayed awake throughout the previous night lighting lamps, and performed ritual bathing, Tarpan, and Pindadan at the Matatirtha Pond this morning. According to religious belief, it is said that bathing and offering prayers at Matatirtha on this day grants salvation to the deceased mother and brings merit to the children.

In Hindu scriptures, a mother's position is considered even higher than that of the Divine. Based on the belief that 'Janani Janmabhumishcha Swargadapi Gariyasi'—meaning the mother who gives birth and the motherland are greater than heaven—the mother is regarded as more significant than a Pandit, Acharya, or father. To repay the debt to one's ancestors, the scriptural tradition dictates that one should serve parents with respect while they are alive and perform Shraddha with devotion after their passing.

On this day, those whose mothers are alive honor them by offering delicious food and gifts at home, while those who have lost their mothers visit Matatirtha to perform Tarpan and offer Sida Daan.