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Nepal Observs "Matatirtha Aunsi"- Nepali Mother's Day

Nepali Hindu devotees circumnavigate the Mata Tirtha Temple located in a hill station on the outskirts of Kathmandu while observing Mata Tirtha Aunsi, or Nepali Mother's Day, on April 17, 2026. Mata Tirtha Aunsi, a festival for mothers, falls in the Nepali first month Baisakh (end of April/early May) when thousands of devotees climb the hill to reach the sacred pond and offer prayers. As a tradition, offspring wake up early in the morning, take a bath, and worship their mothers by giving presents and goodies. Those who do not have their mothers reach Matatirtha in Chandragiri Municipality to pay tribute to the departed souls of their mothers. Devotees, upon reaching the sacred Matatirtha pond, take a holy dip and observe the day by offering alms to the poor. According to legends, during the rule of cowherds in Nepal, one of the cowherds loses his mother and is so depressed that he goes to make offerings at a water storage pond in the forest. Amazingly, he sees his mother's face appear in the water and accept his offerings. From that day on, this day is known as Mata Tirtha Aunsi, the Nepali Mother's Day. People believe that coming to this place and paying homage on this day brings peace to the departed soul of their mother. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto)

Photo ID	#13586719
Date Taken	17 April 2026
Location	N/A
Photographer	Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto
Category	Religion and Belief
Copyright	© 2026 NurPhoto - Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto

Large Group of People Nepali Hindu devotees Mata Tirtha Temple hill station outskirts of Kathmandu Mata Tirtha Aunsi Nepali Mother's Day April 17 2026 festival for mothers Nepali first month Baisakh sacred pond prayers offspring worship mothers presents goodies Matatirtha Chandragiri Municipality tribute departed souls holy dip alms to the poor legends cowherds offerings water storage pond forest peace homage Subaas Shrestha NurPhoto sacred Matatirtha pond climb the hill early morning bath rule of cowherds mother's face accept offerings peace to the departed soul.