Kushe Aunsi (Father's Day) being observed across the country today

Kathmandu, Aug 23: Kushe Aunshi or Father's Day is being observed across the country today. Hindus will be celebrating Kushe Aunshi today by bringing kush, a sharp-edged holy grass, into their houses. There is a religious belief that keeping kush brought by priests and anointed with sacred verses or mantras in the house brings well-being to the household, said religious expert Prof Dr Ramchandra Gautam. The Hindu community regards kush, tulsi (basil plant), peepal and shaligram (ammonite stone) as the symbols of Lord Bishnu. The day is also celebrated as Father's Day or Gokarne Aunshi. People, on this occasion, wish their fathers with gifts and delicious food items including sweets, and show reverence. The major marketplaces in the capital have been busy since the morning with people shopping for sweets, fruits, and gifts for their fathers. As per religious belief of 'pitridevo bhava' (respect to ancestors), sons and daughters receive blessings from their fathers, and those whose fathers are already deceased, go to a pilgrimage site and perform shraddha, the holy ritual in remembrance of those who have passed away. By doing this, it is believed that their lineage will remain stable forever. On this day, a special fair is organized on the premises of Gokarneshwor Mahadev Temple in the north-eastern part of Kathmandu, especially known as Uttargaya. That is why today's Aunsi is also known as Gokarne Aunsi. On this occasion, a crowd gathers on the premises of Gokarneshwor Mahadev Temple to offer tarpan, pinda daan and sidadaan in the name of the departed father. Similarly, the day is also being marked as the birth anniversary of Nepali litterateur Motiram Bhatta who had made epochal contributions to enrich Nepali language and literature. The 160th Moti Jayanti is being marked across the country by organizing several programmes.