July 28, 2025

Mata Tirtha Aunsi, often called Nepali Mother’s Day, is a deeply emotional and spiritual observance held on the new moon day of Baisakh (April/May). Unlike the commercialized version of Mother’s Day celebrated elsewhere, this festival is rooted in ritual, remembrance, and reverence. It is a time when Nepalis across the country honor both living mothers and those who have passed, through temple visits, offerings, and heartfelt family gatherings.

The most sacred pilgrimage site associated with this festival is Mata Tirtha, located on the western outskirts of Kathmandu. Here, thousands of people who have lost their mothers come to bathe in the twin sacred ponds, believed to be a portal to the world of ancestors. According to legend, a boy once glimpsed his deceased mother’s reflection in the waters here—establishing the site as a sacred place for connecting with maternal spirits.

Pilgrims perform shraddha rituals at the site, offering grains, flowers, and water to invoke peace for their departed mothers. The air is filled with the scent of incense, the sound of conch shells, and quiet prayers. Vendors line the path to the shrine, selling garlands and sweets, turning the journey into a moving blend of devotion and everyday ritual.

For those whose mothers are still living, the day is marked by visits, offerings of gifts and sweets, and receiving blessings in return. Many families prepare special meals, and it is customary to touch the feet of one’s mother as a gesture of love and respect. The bond between mother and child is expressed through small, deeply meaningful gestures throughout the day.

While Mata Tirtha Aunsi is a quiet observance compared to other raucous festivals of the Kathmandu Valley, its emotional depth and spiritual sincerity make it one of the most cherished in the Nepali calendar. It’s a moment of personal reflection woven into the fabric of communal tradition.

Time of Year: April or May (new moon of Baisakh)

Location: Celebrated nationwide; key pilgrimage site at Mata Tirtha (west of Kathmandu)

Duration: 1 day

What to Expect: Pilgrimages to Mata Tirtha, ancestral offerings, rituals for departed mothers, family meals, blessings

Interesting Facts:

  • Mata Tirtha literally means “Mother Pilgrimage”
  • Pilgrims often report feeling a strong emotional or spiritual presence at the twin ponds
  • The festival unites themes of grief, gratitude, and generational connection