A large number of devotees have gathered at the Gokarneshwor Uttaragaya Pitri Tirtha Dham, located in the northeastern region of Kathmandu, since early this morning. The influx is in observance of Bhadra Krishna Aunsi, a significant day dedicated to performing rituals for deceased ancestors.
On this day, it is believed that performing Tarpan (ritual offerings), Sidha Daan (donation of food and other items), and Pind Daan (offering of rice balls) at Gokarneshwor can benefit ancestors up to 21 generations back. This religious belief has drawn both Vedic Sanatan Hindu and Buddhist devotees to the Gokarneshwor Temple complex.
Due to the large number of visitors, traffic restrictions have been imposed by the Traffic Police Office, Boudh. Vehicles traveling through Sundarijal-Jorpati and the Bagmati corridor have been restricted. Traffic has been halted at several key points, including the Chautara Mait Nepal Chowk for those entering from Sundarijal, Nepal Medical College Chowk for Jorpati entry, and Sano Pul and Arubari entry points for the Bagmati area, according to Jayaram Mahat, Chairman of the Gokarneshwor Municipality-4.
Temple priest Jagdish Bhatt mentioned that this tradition of performing rituals at Gokarneshwor dates back to the Satya Yuga, when Brahma is believed to have established the site. The belief that performing these rites here can benefit ancestors, even those who have passed away long ago, continues to attract large crowds.
Visitors have reported some difficulties due to inadequate management at the site. Dharma Chandra Paudel, a pilgrim from Rasuwa, expressed frustration over vehicle congestion and narrow roads around the temple, stating, “I only realized the difficulty of navigating the area upon arriving at the temple.”
The narrow roads and inadequate infrastructure have caused issues for many visitors, who have voiced concerns about the lack of attention from all levels of government to the management of this important pilgrimage site.
In addition to Hindu devotees, Buddhists have also flocked to Gokarneshwor today. It is a tradition for Buddhists to come here within a year of a parent’s death to perform Shraddha (ritual offerings) and other religious observances. Buddhist monk Palsang Lama explained that visiting Gokarneshwor on this day is believed to provide a vision of the deceased ancestors’ forms.
The Gokarneshwor area is also associated with the annual fair, and today’s Aunsi is referred to as Gokarneshwor Aunsi. Pilgrims often visit Gokarneshwor after visiting Pashupatinath Temple, adhering to the belief that worshipping at both sites is essential. This tradition sees an increase in visitors during other significant festivals such as Haritalika (Teej), Bala Chaturdashi, Shivaratri, and Saune Sombar.
Additionally, Hindu devotees celebrate the Kush Aunsi festival today, where they bring home Kush (sacred grass) for performing rituals throughout the year. This day is also marked by a special celebration where children offer sweets to their fathers and observe the festival by looking at their fathers’ face. Gokarneshwor Temple, a revered site in Kathmandu, is known for its spiritual significance and rituals related to ancestral worship.
