"Nepali devotee"

#13594041

18 Apr 2026

A Nepali devotee climbs the chariot of Rato Machhindranath in Lalitpur, Nepal, on April 18, 2026. The Rato Machhindranath Chariot festival, which spans several weeks based on astrological timing, begins with the ''Aajus'' or ''Priests'' placing the ''Red God'' on the chariot. Known as ''Bunga Dugh'' in Newari, meaning the God of Rain and Harvest, this is the longest Jatra in Nepal, lasting for months depending on astronomical factors. The Newar community constructs the 32-foot chariot annually using wooden beams without nails, a process that takes about a week. The chariot is then decorated before the deity is seated. In the ancient town of Lalitpur, the chariot is paraded around the city four days after the deity's ascension. It remains on the roadside for four days before being pulled to Ga:Bahal, where it rests for one day, and then to Sundhara and Mangalbazar, where it stays for one day each.

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#13594053

18 Apr 2026

A Nepali devotee makes an offering to Patan's Living Goddess Kumari on the first day of the Rato Machhindranath Jatra in Lalitpur, Nepal, on April 18, 2026. The Rato Machhindranath Chariot festival, which spans several weeks based on astrological timing, begins after the ''Aajus'' or ''Priests'' carry the ''Red God'' to the chariot. Known as ''Bunga Dugh'' in Newari, meaning the God of Rain and Harvest, it is the longest Jatra in Nepal, lasting for months depending on astronomical factors. The Newar community constructs a 32-foot chariot annually using wooden beams without nails, taking about a week to complete. The chariot is then decorated before the deity is placed inside. In the ancient town of Lalitpur, the chariot is paraded around the city four days after the deity's ascension. It is then pulled to Ga:Bahal, rested for one day, and subsequently moved to Sundhara and Mangalbazar, where it remains for one day each.

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#13586704

17 Apr 2026

Nepali Hindu devotees perform rituals by taking a sacred bath in the Mata Tirtha pond located in a hill station on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, on April 17, 2026, while observing Mata Tirtha Aunsi, or 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 visit Matatirtha in Chandragiri Municipality to pay tribute to the departed souls of their mothers. Upon reaching the sacred Matatirtha pond, devotees 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 lost his mother and was so depressed that he went to make offerings at a water storage pond in the forest. Amazingly, he saw 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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#13586705

17 Apr 2026

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.

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#13586707

17 Apr 2026

Nepali Hindu devotees perform rituals at Mata Tirtha pond on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, on April 17, 2026, during Mata Tirtha Aunsi, also known as Nepali Mother's Day. Mata Tirtha Aunsi is a festival for mothers that occurs 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. Traditionally, offspring wake up early, bathe, and worship their mothers by giving presents and goodies. Those without living mothers visit Matatirtha in Chandragiri Municipality to pay tribute to their departed mothers. Upon reaching the sacred Matatirtha pond, devotees take a holy dip and observe the day by offering alms to the poor. According to legends, during the rule of cowherds in Nepal, a cowherd who lost his mother made offerings at a water storage pond in the forest and saw his mother's face appear in the water to accept his offerings. This event led to the establishment of Mata Tirtha Aunsi, with the belief that visiting this place and paying homage on this day brings peace to the departed soul of one's mother.

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#13586709

17 Apr 2026

Nepali Hindu devotees perform rituals in the sacred Mata Tirtha pond located in a hill station on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, on April 17, 2026, while observing Mata Tirtha Aunsi, also known as Nepali Mother's Day. Mata Tirtha Aunsi is a festival for mothers that 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. Traditionally, offspring wake up early, bathe, and worship their mothers by giving presents and goodies. Those without living mothers visit Matatirtha in Chandragiri Municipality to pay tribute to their departed mothers. Upon reaching the sacred Matatirtha pond, devotees take a holy dip and observe the day by offering alms to the poor. According to legends, during the rule of cowherds in Nepal, a cowherd who lost his mother became so depressed that he made offerings at a water storage pond in the forest, where he saw his mother's face appear in the water to accept his offerings. From that day, this occasion became known as Mata Tirtha Aunsi, the Nepali Mother's Day. People believe that visiting this place and paying homage on this day brings peace to the departed soul of their mother.

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#13586710

17 Apr 2026

Nepali Hindu devotees perform rituals at Mata Tirtha pond on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, on April 17, 2026, during Mata Tirtha Aunsi, also known as Nepali Mother's Day. Mata Tirtha Aunsi is a festival for mothers that occurs 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. Traditionally, offspring wake up early, bathe, and worship their mothers by giving presents and goodies. Those without living mothers visit Matatirtha in Chandragiri Municipality to pay tribute to their departed mothers. Upon reaching the sacred Matatirtha pond, devotees take a holy dip and observe the day by offering alms to the poor. According to legends, during the rule of cowherds in Nepal, a cowherd who lost his mother made offerings at a water storage pond in the forest and saw his mother's face appear in the water to accept his offerings. This event led to the establishment of Mata Tirtha Aunsi, with the belief that visiting this place and paying homage on this day brings peace to the departed soul of one's mother.

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#13586712

17 Apr 2026

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.

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#13586717

17 Apr 2026

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.

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#13586718

17 Apr 2026

Nepali Hindu devotees perform rituals of 'Shradda,' paying religious homage to departed souls on the slope along the Mata Tirtha Temple located in a hill station on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, on April 17, 2026, while observing Mata Tirtha Aunsi or 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. 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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#13586719

17 Apr 2026

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.

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#13586720

17 Apr 2026

Nepali Hindu devotees perform rituals of 'Shradda,' paying religious homage to departed souls on the slope along the Mata Tirtha Temple located in a hill station on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, on April 17, 2026, while observing Mata Tirtha Aunsi or 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. 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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#13586706

17 Apr 2026

A Nepali Hindu devotee performs rituals at Mata Tirtha pond on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, on April 17, 2026, during Mata Tirtha Aunsi, also known as Nepali Mother's Day. Mata Tirtha Aunsi is a festival for mothers that occurs 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. Traditionally, offspring wake up early, bathe, and worship their mothers by giving presents and goodies. Those without living mothers visit Matatirtha in Chandragiri Municipality to pay tribute to their departed mothers. Devotees take a holy dip in the sacred Matatirtha pond and observe the day by offering alms to the poor. According to legends, during the rule of cowherds in Nepal, a cowherd who lost his mother made offerings at a water storage pond in the forest and saw his mother's face appear in the water, accepting his offerings. This event led to the establishment of Mata Tirtha Aunsi, with the belief that visiting this place and paying homage brings peace to the departed soul of one's mother.

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#13586708

17 Apr 2026

A Nepali Hindu devotee performs rituals at Mata Tirtha pond on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, on April 17, 2026, during Mata Tirtha Aunsi, also known as Nepali Mother's Day. Mata Tirtha Aunsi is a festival for mothers that occurs 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. Traditionally, offspring wake up early, bathe, and worship their mothers by giving presents and goodies. Those without living mothers visit Matatirtha in Chandragiri Municipality to pay tribute to their departed mothers. Devotees take a holy dip in the sacred Matatirtha pond and observe the day by offering alms to the poor. According to legends, during the rule of cowherds in Nepal, a cowherd who lost his mother made offerings at a water storage pond in the forest and saw his mother's face appear in the water, accepting his offerings. This event led to the establishment of Mata Tirtha Aunsi, with the belief that visiting this place and paying homage brings peace to the departed soul of one's mother.

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#13586711

17 Apr 2026

A Nepali Hindu devotee performs rituals at Mata Tirtha pond on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, on April 17, 2026, during Mata Tirtha Aunsi, also known as Nepali Mother's Day. Mata Tirtha Aunsi is a festival for mothers that occurs 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. Traditionally, offspring wake up early, bathe, and worship their mothers by giving presents and goodies. Those without living mothers visit Matatirtha in Chandragiri Municipality to pay tribute to their departed mothers. Devotees take a holy dip in the sacred Matatirtha pond and observe the day by offering alms to the poor. According to legends, during the rule of cowherds in Nepal, a cowherd who lost his mother made offerings at a water storage pond in the forest and saw his mother's face appear in the water, accepting his offerings. This event led to the establishment of Mata Tirtha Aunsi, with the belief that visiting this place and paying homage brings peace to the departed soul of one's mother.

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#13586713

17 Apr 2026

A Nepali Hindu devotee takes a dip in the sacred Mata Tirtha pond located in a hill station on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, on April 17, 2026, while observing Mata Tirtha Aunsi. Mata Tirtha Aunsi, a festival for mothers, occurs 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. Traditionally, offspring wake up early, bathe, and worship their mothers by giving presents and goodies. Those without living mothers visit Matatirtha in Chandragiri Municipality to pay tribute to their departed mothers. Devotees take a holy dip in the Matatirtha pond and observe the day by offering alms to the poor. According to legends, during the rule of cowherds in Nepal, a cowherd who lost his mother made offerings at a water storage pond in the forest and saw his mother's face appear in the water to accept his offerings. This event led to the observance of Mata Tirtha Aunsi, the Nepali Mother's Day. People believe that visiting this place and paying homage on this day brings peace to the departed soul of their mother.

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