Kushe Aunsi (कुशे औंसी / बुवाको मुख हेर्ने दिन)

Kushe Aunsi, also called Buwa Ko Mukh Herne Din or Gokarna Aunsi, falls on the dark‑moon day of Bhadra. Families bring home sanctified kusha grass, perform ancestor rites and show reverence to their living fathers with gifts, food and blessings.

Vedic texts hail kusha as a purifier; sages used it for sacrificial seats. Bringing fresh kusha on this day invites protection for the household. Offering water (tarpan) at Gokarna Mahadev grants peace to departed ancestors, while feeding fathers ensures long life and prosperity.

1. Kush Collection (dawn, 23 Aug 2025): Priests distribute holy grass; households stick a bundle above the main door.
2. Tarpan & Shraddha (05:40–10:30 NST): Sons perform water libations at Gokarneshwar or local rivers remembering forefathers.
3. Father’s Day Ceremony (mid‑morning): Children touch father’s feet, apply tika, offer sweets, clothes and blessings.
4. Family Feast (afternoon): Traditional kheer‑chiura, fruits, meat dishes and laddus shared together.

• Mass ancestor rites on the Bagmati at Gokarna Mahadev
• Motiram Bhatta memorial recitations (the poet was born on Kushe Aunsi)
• Gift fairs selling dhaka caps, shawls and sweet hampers for fathers

Main venue: Gokarneshwar Mahadev, Kathmandu (≈120 000 devotees).
Other hubs: Pashupatinath Arya Ghat, Swayambhu, Pokhara Bindyabasini and village riverbanks.
Festival window 2025: 22–23 Aug 2025.