Sanatan Hindu followers across the country are celebrating the Kushe Aunsi festival today, marking the occasion by bringing sacred Kush grass into their homes. This grass will be used throughout the year for various religious and ancestral rituals.
According to religious scriptures, bringing Kush grass, which has been blessed and uprooted by Brahmins following traditional rituals, into the home is believed to bring prosperity to the family. Religious scholar Professor Dr. Ram Chandra Gautam explains that Kush grass uprooted on this specific day can be used throughout the year, while Kush uprooted on any other day can only be used on the same day.
Sanatan Hindus regard Kush, Tulsi, Peepal, and Shaligram as symbols of Lord Vishnu. There is a religious belief that Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe, created the sacred Kush along with the wise beings. The Kush grass placed in homes today will be used in various divine and ancestral rituals throughout the year.
On this occasion, children traditionally express their respect and love for their fathers by offering them their favorite sweets and meals. Those whose fathers have passed away visit sacred sites and perform Tarpan, Pinddaan, and Shraddha rituals in their fathers’ names.
A significant fair takes place at the Gokarneshwar Mahadev Temple, located in the northeastern region of Kathmandu, which is also known as Uttar Gaya. Due to this, today’s Aunsi is also referred to as Gokarne Aunsi. The temple sees a large gathering of people performing Tarpan, Pinddaan, and Sidadaan in honor of their deceased fathers.
According to the religious belief “Pitridevo Bhava” (Honor your father as a deity), children who respectfully offer food to their fathers and receive blessings on this day are believed to attain happiness. For those whose fathers have passed away, performing Tarpan and Sidadaan at Gokarna or other sacred sites not only brings spiritual merit but also ensures the stability of their lineage, as mentioned in the Buddhist text Parajikaya.
This day is also referred to as a ‘Punya Parva’ (day of merit) because even a small act of charity on this day yields a thousandfold reward. However, religious scriptures caution that giving charity to an unworthy recipient leads both the giver and the receiver to hell. Therefore, it is essential to give charity to a deserving recipient, even if it is done out of compassion for the less fortunate.
Every year on the day of Bhadra Krishna Aunsi, thousands of devotees from different parts of the country and even from India visit the Gokarneshwar Mahadev Temple to perform rituals in honor of their ancestors.
