Kushe Aunsi - Father's Day in Nepal:
Father's Day is celebrated every year on Bhadra Krishna Aunshi: Kushe Aunsi (Father's Day) is being celebrated. The holy Kush, which is used in devotional and patriarchal activities throughout the year, is brought into the house. There has been a religious belief that keeping Kush at home will benefit the family. The followers of Sanatan Dharma consider Kush, Tulsi, Pipal, and Shaligram as symbols of Lord Vishnu.
Kush, which is worshiped every year on the day of Kushi Aunsi, is used for good deeds and patriarchal activities until the end of the year. In Hindu scriptures, Kush is accepted as a symbol of Lord Vishnu.
According to the story of Sriswasthani, after Lord Vishnu deceived his wife Brinda and robbed her of her existence, Brinda cursed Vishnu in four ways. Among them, there is a religious belief that Vishnu took the form of Kush to fulfill the curse of having grass.
It is customary for priests to bring Kush to their host's house and worship it and keep it in the worship room. It is believed that bringing Kush inside the house is auspicious.
Today, children traditionally pay homage to their father's favorite sweets and food and look at their father's face. Those who do not have a father have gone to various holy places and offered Tarpan, Pindana, and Shraddha in the name of their father. On this day, a special fair is held at the Gokarneshwar Mahadev Temple premises in the northeastern part of Kathmandu, especially known as Uttargaya. However, this year the fair has been closed in the temple premises due to the infection of Coronavirus (Covid-19).
In the past, crowds used to gather at the Gokarneshwar Mahadev temple premises in the name of the late father to offer Tarpan, Pindana, and Siddana. Similarly, devotees used to gather at Vetravati of Rasuwa. There has also been a shutdown this year. Other shrines and places of worship in the country have also been closed for fear of the Corona outbreak.
According to the religious belief of 'Pitru Devo Bhavah', on this day, children get happiness by reverently feeding their father the food of their choice and receiving blessings. Since Babu has passed away, there is a religious belief that if one goes to Gokarna or other places of pilgrimage, one can attain virtue by doing tarpan and Siddana. The parents who give birth and the teacher who gives education are considered as living deities by the followers of the Vedic Sanatan Hindu religion.
