Crowds flock to Gokarneshwor’s Uttargaya for Poush Aunsi Shraddha (photos)
The day is also known as ‘Gaya Mauni Darsha Shraddham’.
KATHMANDU: On the occasion of Poush Aunsi today, a large number of devotees gathered at the Kantibhairav Uttarbahini (Uttar Gaya) in Gokarneshwor, Kathmandu, to perform Shraddha rituals seeking salvation for their ancestors.
According to long-held religious belief, performing Shraddha at Uttargaya before visiting major Hindu pilgrimage sites such as Kashi and Gaya in India is considered highly meritorious.
This belief draws a significant crowd to the site every year on Poush Aunsi.
The day is also known as ‘Gaya Mauni Darsha Shraddham’.
During the ritual, devotees offer Pindadan—ritual balls made from barley flour—along with Tarpan for the liberation of ancestral souls.
Popularly known as Uttargaya, the site is believed to grant salvation to all ancestors when Shraddha is performed on Poush Krishna Aunsi. As a result, pilgrims from various parts of the country visit the area annually on this auspicious day.
Former King Gyanendra Shah had also performed Tirtha Shraddha here in the past.
Among the four Gaya sites in the Indian subcontinent, three are located in India, while Nepal is home to one—Uttargaya.
Similarly, devotees also throng Betravati in Nuwakot on this day, another location renowned as Uttargaya, to perform Shraddha rituals.
Photos:
-Saroj Basnet
