Mother’s Day or Mothering Day?

On 15th March 2015 Mother’s Day was celebrated all over the world. In America, it is celebrated on different days in May. It is different from “Mothering Sunday”; when both are combined, the date varies. At present it is a Christian festival. But roots of this festival go far back in ancient pre-Christian scriptures and folklores.
Hindus have many festivals to honour power of Godesses, most popular is Navaratri, festival of Nine nights.
The Greeks observed this festival on Ides of March, to worship Great Mother of God.
The Anglo Saxons celebrated Night of Mothers to honour all Godesses.
Going back to 16th Century, mothers were “churched” after birth of baby. That practice was known as “Mothering Sunday” which was held on Forth Sunday of Lent.
It is also believed that English employers allowed female servants to visit family and especially mothers, thus the day is named as Mother’s Day.
Mother’s day was revived in 1908 by an American lady Anna Jarvis to honour memory and express love for her late mother. This became a national and with passing of time an international festival.  Mother’s Day is woven overtly and covertly into the fabric of present day society.
 
Ramesh Jhalla
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