Today, Hindu Nepalis are celebrating Kushe Aunsi, the most auspicious occasion to honor one’s father. It is also known as Gokarna Aunsi or Pitri Tirpani Aausi.
On this auspicious day, sons and daughters go home to spend quality time with their fathers. They offer home-cooked delicacies, sweets, meat, clothes, and other gifts to their fathers.
The children seek blessings from their father and thank him for his love, care, and guidance.
Streets will be busy with married daughters with gifts making their way to their maternal home to meet their fathers, despite busy schedules.
As a part of celebrations, people bring kush, holy grass, into their houses. They believe that keeping kush, cut by the priests, brings happiness and prosperity to their family.
Many people visit Gokarneswor Mahadev temple in Gokarna, Betrawati in Rasuwa, and Bishnupaduka in Dharan to take a holy bath and make offerings. People also perform death rituals called ‘Shradha’ in memory of their deceased fathers.
In the Nepali language, the festival is known as ‘Buwa ko Mukh Herne,’ which means ‘looking at father’s face.’ The day is based on the lunar calendar.
However, the father’s day celebrations in Nepal this year are quite different in view of the coronavirus pandemic. The Nepali Government has closed all temples to contain coronavirus spread. People are advised to celebrate the festival at their homes while following hygiene practices.
NepaliSansar extends warm wishes to all the Nepali across the world on the occasion of Kushe Aunsi!