Mother’s Day is a special occasion celebrated across the world to honour and appreciate mothers for their unconditional love, care, and support. This day is a reminder of the important role that mothers play in shaping the lives and personalities of their children, and the profound impact that they have on the world around them.
In many countries, Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May. On this day, children of all ages shower their mothers with gifts, cards, flowers, and other tokens of appreciation. It is a time to express gratitude for all that mothers do and to acknowledge the sacrifices that they make to ensure the well-being and happiness of their families.
The origins of Mother’s Day can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where mothers were celebrated and honoured as goddesses of fertility, nature, and life. The roots of Mother’s Day can be traced back to ancient times when the Greeks and Romans held festivals honouring mother goddesses like Rhea and Cybele. These celebrations were dedicated to fertility and motherhood and were typically held in the springtime.
In the 16th century, early Christian celebrations in England called “Mothering Sunday” saw families coming together and children presenting flowers or small gifts to their mothers.
In the United States, the modern observance of Mother’s Day can be attributed to the efforts of Julia Ward Howe, an abolitionist and suffragette who called for women to unite for peace and disarmament in 1870. Anna Jarvis, an American social activist, later championed the modern Mother’s Day we know today. After her own mother’s death in 1905, Jarvis campaigned to establish a national holiday to honour mothers, providing an opportunity for people to express their love and gratitude to their mothers. In modern times, the idea of a special day to honour mothers gained widespread popularity in the early 20th century.
Over the years, Mother’s Day has evolved into a global celebration, with people from all cultures and backgrounds coming together to pay tribute to the special women in their lives. The day is a reminder of the immense love and sacrifice that mothers make every day, and the profound impact that they have on their families, communities, and the world at large.
Celebrating Mother’s Day can take many forms, from simple acts of kindness and appreciation to grand gestures of love and affection. Some popular ways to celebrate include:
- Spending quality time with your mother, whether it’s a special outing, a home-cooked meal, or a heartfelt conversation.
- Creating handmade gifts or cards that show your appreciation and love.
- Sharing old memories and photos that capture the special moments and milestones in your relationship.
- Make a charitable donation or volunteer in honour of your mother, to support causes that she cares about.
- Simply expressing your love and gratitude through words, gestures, or acts of service.
No matter how you choose to celebrate Mother’s Day, the most important thing is to show your mother that she is loved, appreciated, and valued. Mothers are the pillars of our families and communities, and their tireless efforts and selfless love deserve to be recognized and celebrated every day.
Research has shown that expressing gratitude can have many positive effects on one’s mental and emotional well-being. It can enhance feelings of happiness, positivity, and contentment, and can improve relationships by fostering feelings of closeness and connection.
Therefore, it is important to show gratitude and thanks to one’s mother, not just on Mother’s Day but on a regular basis, to reinforce the love and respect that is the foundation of any healthy and fulfilling relationship. Small gestures of kindness, such as saying thank you, giving a hug, or doing something special for her can go a long way in making her feel appreciated and loved.
Showing gratitude and appreciation is a way to acknowledge and honour the sacrifices that mothers make for their families, and to strengthen the bond of love and respect between a mother and her child.
In India, Mother’s Day is a relatively new concept, but it is gaining popularity as an occasion to honour and appreciate mothers and mother figures. The modern celebration of Mother’s Day in India is influenced by Western traditions, but it also has its own unique cultural elements.
The concept of honouring and respecting mothers has been deeply ingrained in Indian culture for centuries. The Hindu religion, which is the dominant religion in India, places a great emphasis on the role of mothers in the family and society. The mother is considered to be the embodiment of divine love and is revered as a goddess in many Hindu traditions.
Traditionally, Indian families have celebrated Mother’s Day by performing puja (worship) and offering prayers to the mother goddess. Families also exchange gifts and sweets, and children often write poems or make handmade cards to express their love and gratitude to their mothers.
In recent years, the celebration of Mother’s Day in India has become more commercialized, with florists, gift shops, and restaurants promoting special deals and discounts for the occasion. Despite this, many Indian families continue to observe the traditional rituals and customs associated with Mother’s Day.
Overall, Mother’s Day in India is a special occasion for families to come together and celebrate the love, sacrifice, and devotion of mothers and mother figures.
In Hindu culture, the celebration of mothers and motherhood is an integral part of many festivals and traditions. There are several Hindu festivals that honour mothers and mother figures, including:
- Navratri: Navratri is a nine-day festival that celebrates the divine feminine power or shakti. The festival is dedicated to the nine forms of the goddess Durga, who symbolizes motherhood, strength, and protection.
- Diwali: Diwali is a festival of lights that celebrates the victory of good over evil. The festival is also associated with the goddess Lakshmi, who is revered as the mother of wealth, prosperity, and happiness.
- Akshaya Tritiya: Akshaya Tritiya is a festival that marks the beginning of the new Hindu calendar and is considered an auspicious day for starting new ventures and making significant purchases. The day is also associated with the goddess Annapurna, who symbolizes the nurturing and nourishing aspect of motherhood.
- Vat Purnima: Vat Purnima is a festival that is celebrated by married women to honour the bond between a mother and her child. On this day, women tie a sacred thread around a banyan tree and pray for the longevity and well-being of their husbands and children.
In addition to these festivals, there are also several Hindu scriptures and texts that emphasize the importance of mothers and motherhood. For example, the epic Ramayana portrays the mother as the epitome of love, sacrifice, and devotion, and the Vedas describe the mother as the first guru who teaches her child the values of dharma (righteousness) and karma (action).
My Moma
- Guru Purnima: Guru Purnima is a festival that celebrates the role of teachers and gurus in Hindu culture. The mother is often regarded as the first guru of a child, who teaches the child the basic principles of life and morality.
- Gudi Padwa: Gudi Padwa is a festival that marks the beginning of the New Year in some parts of India. On this day, mothers are traditionally honoured with gifts and offerings, and their blessings are sought for a prosperous and happy year ahead.
These festivals and customs reflect the deep reverence and respect that is accorded to mothers in Hindu culture and highlight the important role that mothers play in shaping the values and traditions of Indian society.
I am collating some of the scriptures emphasizing the significance of a mother in life.
Taittiriya Upanishad: This ancient Hindu text emphasizes the significance of respecting and serving one’s mother, stating that “Mata Pita Guru Daivam” (Mother, Father, Teacher, and God) are the four pillars of life. The text also states that the mother is the first guru who teaches her child the values of righteousness and morality.
Manusmriti: This ancient Hindu legal text prescribes that “Matru Devo Bhava” (Mother is equivalent to God) and that one should always honour, serve, and respect their mother. The text also states that the mother’s blessings are essential for success and happiness in life.
Ramayana: This epic Hindu poem portrays the mother as the epitome of love, sacrifice, and devotion. The story of Lord Rama and his mothers Kaikayi, Kausalya and Sumitra highlights the deep bond of love and respect between mother and child and the importance of a mother’s blessings in fulfilling one’s goals and aspirations.
Bhagavad Gita: This Hindu scripture emphasizes the importance of performing one’s duties and responsibilities towards parents, especially the mother. The text states that one should always honour and serve their mother and that the mother’s blessings are essential for spiritual progress and enlightenment.
These ancient texts and scriptures reflect the deep cultural and spiritual roots of motherhood in Indian society and emphasize the profound influence that mothers have on shaping the values and character of their children.
Listen to the messages for mothers on my podcast on May 14, 2023- Gupshup- Aayiye Kuch Baatein Karte Hain.