Kushe Aunsi is a cherished festival in the Vedic Sanatan tradition that brings together rituals, remembrance, and family love. Each year, on Bhadra Krishna Aunsi, devotees bring Kush grass into their homes. This sacred grass, honored as a symbol of Lord Vishnu along with Tulsi, Peepal, and Shaligram, holds a special place in religious life. It is believed that keeping Kush at home, especially when received with blessings from a Brahmin, brings peace, prosperity, and protection for the household throughout the year.
In Nepal, Kushe Aunsi is also observed as Father’s Day. It is a time when children show gratitude by offering favorite foods, sweets, or small gestures of love to their fathers. For those whose fathers have passed away, the day becomes one of remembrance and prayer. Families visit holy places, offer tarpan and pindaan, and give alms in their fathers’ names, keeping their memory alive with devotion.
The most notable gathering takes place at the Gokarneshwar Mahadev Temple in Kathmandu, also known as Uttar Gaya. On this day, thousands of devotees gather to perform ancestral rites. The temple grounds are filled with prayers and offerings, while many take a holy bath in Gokarna, which is considered a symbol of purity and a way to express devotion to one’s ancestors.
Kush grass itself carries both spiritual and practical value. Known scientifically as Eragrostis cynosuroides, it has been used in traditional medicines, and studies show it can absorb harmful radiation. This connection between faith and nature deepens the significance of the ritual.
The day is also called Punya Parva, the “Day of Virtue.” Even small acts of charity—such as sharing food, clothes, or donations—are believed to bring lasting blessings. Kushe Aunsi reminds us that life is built on giving and receiving, on the love parents show their children, and on the hope that children, in turn, will care for their parents with the same devotion.
Across Nepal, many people travel to sacred sites such as Devghat in Tanahun, Vishnu Paduka, and Varahkshetra in Sunsari to perform rites in honor of their ancestors. These journeys highlight the unbroken link between past and present, as families come together to honor those who came before them.
Kushe Aunsi is not just about rituals. It is a day of gratitude, reflection, and love—a reminder to honor our fathers, respect our ancestors, and carry forward traditions that give meaning and balance to family and community life.
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