26 April, Kathmandu: Nepalis both home and abroad are observing the Mata Tirtha Aunsi or the Mother’s Day today by showing respect and reverence to their mothers by offering gifts and various delicacies.

The day falls on the New Moon Day in the Nepali Month of Baisakh according to the lunar calendar. Living mothers are offered gifts consisting of delicacies while ritual offerings are made in the name of the deceased.

Offsprings in return receive the blessings from their mothers who are highly placed by the holy scriptures. According to Nepal Calendar Determination Committee, the Hindu holy scriptures narrate that the mothers are 10 times revered than fathers and extol mothers and place them higher above father, ancestors and mentors.

Every year this day, a big religious fair takes place at Matatirtha, a place to the western part of Kathmandu. Although a Hindu tradition, Buddhists also flock here to perform ‘Shradda’ for their departed mothers.

Mothers apart, mother-in-law, female mentor and aunties are also presented gifts on this occasion. RSS