"Revelers throng to the sacred Mata Tirtha Pond on the outski..."

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27 April 2025

Revelers throng to the sacred Mata Tirtha Pond on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, on April 27, 2025, 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 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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