Devotees thronging Matatirtha shrine since early morning today

KATHMANDU: Devotees have been thronging Matatirtha kund (pond) in Chandragiri municipality of Kathmandu since this morning for taking holy dip and pay homage to their deceased mothers on the occasion of Matatirtha Aunsi today.

Every year on the day of Baishakh Krishna Paksha Aunsi (newmoon day in the month of Baisakh as per lunar calendar), devotees assemble at Matatirtha kunda at Chandragiri municipality-6 to take bath and offer worship to an idol of the Mother.

Devotees also light butter lamps and observe a night vigil at this pilgrimage site a day before the Matatirtha Aunsi festival, to the memory of their deceased mothers. The next morning they take holy dip in the pond.

President of Matatirtha Conservation and Development Association, Shanta Udas, said arrangements have been made for the devotees to take ablution bath in the pond in a systematic manner. He said devotees come here as they believe that if they visit Matatirtha pond, pay homage and make offerings to one’s deceased mother, they will be absolved from the debts they owe to their mothers.

The Matatirtha Aunsi festival is considered a day of devotion, respect and recognition of the mothers, who are considered greater than the priests and father in the religious scriptures, and a special day to pay one’s gratitude to the mother and seek blessings from her.

It is customary for children to get up early this morning, take a bath, dress their mother in beautiful clothes, and feed her with sweet and savory foods to seek her blessings and recognize her contribution and very important role in the family and society.

Those who have already lost their mother remember them and the great and difficult deeds she accomplished by making offerings to her soul and offering food to the needy in her remembrance.