FRIDAY IS ALSO MOTI JAYANTI Kathmandu, 17 Aug.: : The Hindu people in the country are collecting kush, a holy grass used while performing various holy rituals as Shraddha [holy ritual remembering the deceased ancestors] and religious rituals, across the country today [Friday], RSS reports. There is a religious belief that keeping kush cut by the priests and anointed with sacred verses or mantras in the house brings wellbeing to the household. The Hindu community regards kush, Tulashi (basil), peepal and shaligram (ammonite stone) as the symbols of Lord Bishnu. Also known as the day of Gokarne Aunshi, the children feed their fathers with delicious food items including sweets, and show reverence. It is also called Father´s Day. As per the religious belief of ´pitridevo bhava´ (respect to ancestors), the son and daughter receive blessing from their father, and those whose fathers are already dead go to Gokarna or any other pilgrimage site and perform shraddha, holy ritual. Doing this, it is believed that, their lineage will remain stable for ever. Main pilgrimage sites to perform shraddha are Gokarna of Kathmandu, Betrawati of Rasuwa, and Bishnupaduka of Dharan. Today also marks the 145th Birth Anniversary of the national luminary Yuva Kavi Moti Ram Bhatta. Various literary programmes are organized to mark the day across the country. Born on the day of Kushe Aunshi in 1923 BS and died on the same day in 1953 BS, poet Bhatta had a great contribution to the promotion of Nepali literature in his very short life. He was the first person to celebrate the pioneering poet Bhanubhakta Acharya by publishing the biography of poet Acharya. He was also the pioneering figure of gajal (verse) in Nepali literature. nnnn ________________________________________