Mother's Day is a celebration honoring mothers and celebrating motherhood, maternal bonds and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, yet most commonly in March, April, or May. It complements Father's Day, the celebration honoring fathers.
Celebrations of mothers and motherhood occur throughout the world; many of these can be traced back to ancient festivals, like the Greek cult to Cybele, the Roman festival of Hilaria or the Christian Mothering Sunday celebration.
"Mata Tirtha Aunshi", translated as "Mother Pilgrimage fortnight", falls in the month of Baishak dark fortnight (April/may). This festival falls in the dark moon’s time, which is why this called "Mata Tirtha Aunshi" derived from words: "Mata" meaning mother; "Tirtha" meaning pilgrimage. This festival is observed in the commemoration and respect of the mother, which is celebrated by worshipping and gifting living mother or remembering mothers who have passed away. Going to Mata Tirtha Pilgrimage, located towards the eastern side Kathmandu valley at Mata Tirtha Village development committee’s periphery, is another tradition common in Nepal. Previously, people especially from Newar communities and people living in the valley used to celebrate it. Now, this festival is being celebrated by widespread communities.
There is a legend regarding this pilgrimage site. In ancient times Lord Krishna’s mother Devaki wondered out her house to sight-see. She visited many places and delayed her return to her house. Lord Krishna was very concerned because of her disappearance. So, he set out to find her. After a long and arduous search he found her. When he reached "Mata Tirtha Kunda", he happened to see his mother taking bath there, in the spouts of that pond. Lord Krishna was ecstatic when he found her and narrated all of the tragedies that had befallen him in her absence. Mother Devaki said to lord Krishna, "Oh! Son Krishna let then, this place be the pious rendezvous for children to meet their departed mothers". So, according to legends, since then this place has become a holy pilgrimage site, where people come to pay respect to their deceased mothers. Legend also holds that once a girl saw the image of her deceased mother inside the pond and she jumped into the pond to join her mother in death. Till this day there is a small pond fenced by the iron bars, where it is believed that the afore mentioned tragedy occurred.
Happy Mother's Day
By : Science Shrestha
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