"A Nepali Hindu devotee smokes while watching others perform..."

#12307381

27 April 2025

A Nepali Hindu devotee smokes while watching others perform rituals at Mata Tirtha pond on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, on April 27, 2025, during Mata Tirtha Aunsi, or the Nepali Mother's Day. 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 becomes 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.

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