Kathmandu: The sacred festival of Matatirtha Aunsi, dedicated to honoring and expressing gratitude to mothers, is being celebrated across Nepal today with deep devotion and traditional rituals. Observed on the Aunsi (new moon day) of the Krishna Paksha of Vaishakh, the day holds profound significance in the classical and Vedic traditions.

On this occasion, children wake up early, bathe, and offer their mothers sweet and spicy foods, dress them in new clothes, and seek their blessings. For those whose mothers have passed away, the day is marked by offering tarpan (water libations), pindadan (offering of rice balls), and sidadan (offering of food and essentials) in their memory, along with feeding priests in a show of reverence.

Theologian and member of the Nepal Panchanga Nirikh Samiti, Prof. Dr. Devmani Bhattarai, explained that according to ancient Vedic scriptures, honoring the mother holds a place of supreme importance. Quoting the scriptural verse "Janani Janmabhoomischa Swargadapi Gariyasi", he said the mother and the motherland are both considered greater and more beloved than heaven itself.

"A mother is revered as a thousand times greater than the father, as she carries the child for nine months in her womb and gives life," said Dr. Bhattarai.

Traditionally, Matatirtha Aunsi is seen as an opportunity to repay the debt to the mother, one of the three vital debts a human must repay in their lifetime according to Sanatan Vedic philosophy (the other two being to the gods and to humanity).

Celebrations at Mata Tirtha, Chandragiri
A major fair has been organized at the sacred site of Mata Tirtha in Chandragiri Municipality to mark the day. Mayor Ghanshyam Giri informed that all preparations for the fair have been completed. Devotees from across the country gather at Mata Tirtha to perform rituals and pay homage to their mothers.

Dispelling misinformation circulating about not looking at one’s mother's face due to astrological concerns, the organizing committee clarified that this year’s solar eclipse will not affect Nepal, and there is no prohibition against celebrating or seeing one's mother's face.

Matatirtha Aunsi thus continues to embody the timeless values of gratitude, love, and respect toward mothers, reinforcing their unparalleled role in life and society.