"observance event"

#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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#13586714

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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#13586715

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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#13581246

16 Apr 2026

Sujan Bagh Shrestha wears white turf and greets the crowd after participating in the tongue-piercing festival for the fourth consecutive time in the medieval town, Nepal, on April 15, 2026. Locally called ''Jibro Chedne Jatra,'' this festival is observed annually on the second day of the Nepali New Year. The town, which was a separate state in medieval Nepal, celebrates this festivity with grandeur.

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#13581249

16 Apr 2026

Sujan Bagh Shrestha wears white turf and greets the crowd after participating in the tongue-piercing festival for the fourth consecutive time in the medieval town, Nepal, on April 15, 2026. Locally called ''Jibro Chedne Jatra,'' this festival is observed annually on the second day of the Nepali New Year. The town, which was a separate state in medieval Nepal, celebrates this festivity with grandeur.

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#13581251

16 Apr 2026

Sujan Bagh Shrestha wears white turf and greets the crowd after participating in the tongue-piercing festival for the fourth consecutive time in the medieval town, Nepal, on April 15, 2026. Locally called ''Jibro Chedne Jatra,'' this festival is observed annually on the second day of the Nepali New Year. The town, which was a separate state in medieval Nepal, celebrates this festivity with grandeur.

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#13581253

16 Apr 2026

Sujan Bagh Shrestha wears white turf and greets the crowd after participating in the tongue-piercing festival for the fourth consecutive time in the medieval town, Nepal, on April 15, 2026. Locally called ''Jibro Chedne Jatra,'' this festival is observed annually on the second day of the Nepali New Year. The town, which was a separate state in medieval Nepal, celebrates this festivity with grandeur.

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#13581255

16 Apr 2026

Sujan Bagh Shrestha wears white turf and greets the crowd after participating in the tongue-piercing festival for the fourth consecutive time in the medieval town, Nepal, on April 15, 2026. Locally called ''Jibro Chedne Jatra,'' this festival is observed annually on the second day of the Nepali New Year. The town, which was a separate state in medieval Nepal, celebrates this festivity with grandeur.

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#13581257

16 Apr 2026

Sujan Bagh Shrestha wears white turf and greets the crowd after participating in the tongue-piercing festival for the fourth consecutive time in the medieval town, Nepal, on April 15, 2026. Locally called ''Jibro Chedne Jatra,'' this festival is observed annually on the second day of the Nepali New Year. The town, which was a separate state in medieval Nepal, celebrates this festivity with grandeur.

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#13581258

16 Apr 2026

Sujan Bagh Shrestha wears white turf and greets the crowd after participating in the tongue-piercing festival for the fourth consecutive time in the medieval town, Nepal, on April 15, 2026. Locally called ''Jibro Chedne Jatra,'' this festival is observed annually on the second day of the Nepali New Year. The town, which was a separate state in medieval Nepal, celebrates this festivity with grandeur.

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#13581259

16 Apr 2026

Sujan Bagh Shrestha wears white turf and greets the crowd after participating in the tongue-piercing festival for the fourth consecutive time in the medieval town, Nepal, on April 15, 2026. Locally called ''Jibro Chedne Jatra,'' this festival is observed annually on the second day of the Nepali New Year. The town, which was a separate state in medieval Nepal, celebrates this festivity with grandeur.

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#13581261

16 Apr 2026

A 10-inch-long needle is held high during the annual tongue piercing festival in Bode, Nepal, on April 15, 2026. Locally known as ''Jibro chedne Jatra,'' the festival is observed annually on the second day of the Nepali New Year. The medieval town, once a separate state in the medieval age of Nepal, celebrates this festivity with grandeur.

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#13581262

16 Apr 2026

A 10-inch-long needle is held high during the annual tongue piercing festival in Bode, Nepal, on April 15, 2026. Locally known as ''Jibro chedne Jatra,'' the festival is observed annually on the second day of the Nepali New Year. The medieval town, once a separate state in the medieval age of Nepal, celebrates this festivity with grandeur.

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#13581265

16 Apr 2026

Sujan Bagh Shrestha wears white turf and greets the crowd after participating in the tongue-piercing festival for the fourth consecutive time in the medieval town, Nepal, on April 15, 2026. Locally called ''Jibro Chedne Jatra,'' this festival is observed annually on the second day of the Nepali New Year. The town, which was a separate state in medieval Nepal, celebrates this festivity with grandeur.

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#13577463

15 Apr 2026

Kashmiri Sikhs sit inside the premises of a Gurudwara on the occasion of the Baisakhi festival in the Mattan area of Islamabad district, south of Srinagar, Indian Administered Kashmir, on April 14, 2026.

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#13577465

15 Apr 2026

Kashmiri Sikhs pose for a picture inside the premises of a Gurudwara during the Baisakhi festival in the Mattan area of Islamabad district, south of Srinagar, Indian Administered Kashmir, on April 14, 2026.

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