RowenaClune540: put up a pg

2026-03-31T21:30:49Z

put up a pg

New page

{{Short description|Celebrated in parts of India on 14th February}}
[[File:Parents Worship Day Lucknow 2019(1).jpg|thumb]]
[[File:MPPD celebrations Rajasthan 2019 image 2(1).jpg|thumb]]
{{Infobox holiday
| holiday_name = Parents Worship Day
| image =
| caption =
| observedby = India
| date = 14 February
| duration = 1 day
| frequency = Annual
| scheduling =
| type = cultural
| celebrations = Worship of Parents
| relatedto =
| ends =
| firsttime =
| month =
| weekday =
| alt =
| begins =
| significance =
| litcolor =
| nickname =
| official_name = |
}}
'''Parents' Worship Day''', known as '''''Matri Pitri Poojan Diwas''''' (also ''Matru Pitru Poojan Divas'') was started by Sant Shri Asaram Bapu Ji in 2007 as an alternative to [[Valentine's Day]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2011/feb/15/indianisation-of-valentines-day-227757.html|title=Indianisation of Valentine's Day|work=The New Indian Express|date=February 15, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/feb-14-is-parents-day-in-chhattisgarh/article6869015.ece|title=Valentine's Day to be Parents' Day in Chhattisgarh|last=Dahat|first=Pavan|date=2015-02-07|work=The Hindu|language=en-IN}}</ref><ref name="IT1">{{cite news|last=Bhattacharya
|first=D.P.|title=Worship parents on Valentine's Day, says Sant Shri Asharam Ji Bapu|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/south/story/worship-parents-on-valentines-day-asaram-bapu-91251-2012-01-28|newspaper=India Today|date=January 29, 2012}}</ref>

It is celebrated on [[14 February]] every year.<ref name=":02">{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Its-official-Chhattisgarh-renames-V-Day-as-Matru-Pitru-Diwas/articleshow/46151391.cms|title=It's official: Chhattisgarh renames Valentines Day as 'Matru-Pitru Diwas'|website=The Times of India|date=7 February 2015 |accessdate=2015-12-13}}</ref> It is based on the Sanskrit words for mother (मातृ, ''mātṛ'') and father (पितृ, ''pitŕ'').

==History==
The day was first celebrated on "14 February 2006" at Sant Shri Asharamji's Gurukul, Ahmedabad.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://newsd.in/valentine-day-sounds-too-mainstream-celebrate-matra-pitra-pujan-diwas-this-time/|title=Valentine's Day sounds too mainstream? Celebrate Matra Pitra Pujan Diwas this time|date=2019-02-14|website=News and Analysis from India. A Refreshing approach to news.|language=en-IN|access-date=2020-01-01}}</ref>

This festival draws its inspiration from the [[Puja (Hinduism)|pujan]] of [[Shiva]] and [[Parvati]] performed by [[Ganesha]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://jkmonitor.org/index.php/religion/11781-parents-worship-day-as-substitute-of-valentine-day|title='Parents Worship Day' as substitute of 'Valentine Day'|website=jkmonitor.org|language=en-gb|access-date=2018-04-09|archive-date=2018-10-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024232323/http://jkmonitor.org/index.php/religion/11781-parents-worship-day-as-substitute-of-valentine-day|url-status=dead}}</ref> In India, Valentine's Day is being substituted with "Parents Worship Day", a celebration of love between parents and their children, amid concerns about teenage pregnancy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Valentine's Day: Countries that don't love February romance |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-31382332}}</ref>

According to [[The Hindu]], the Indian state of [[Chhattisgarh]] has been celebrating Matru-Pitru Pujan Diwas since 2012, on the advice of Asharamji bapu.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/feb-14-is-parents-day-in-chhattisgarh/article6869015.ece|title=Valentine's Day to be Parents' Day in Chhattisgarh|last=Dahat|first=Pavan|date=2015-02-07|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-01-01|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/parents-worship-day-after-chhattisgarh-jharkhand-to-implement-jailed-godman-asar/305893|title=Parents Worship Day: After Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand To Implement Jailed Asaram Bapuji's Advice|date=2017-12-24|work=www.outlookindia.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.bbc.com/hindi/india-38956151|title= sant Shri आसाराम बापूजी का वेलेंटाइंस डे आइडिया|last=प्रियदर्शी|first=राजेश|date=2017-02-14|work=BBC News हिंदी|language=en-GB|trans-title=Asaram Bapu's Valentine's Day idea}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/vday-to-be-matripitra-divas-in-chhattisgarh-schools/911388/|title=V-Day to be Matri-Pitra Divas in Chhattisgarh schools|last=Bhardwaj|first=Ashutosh|date=February 13, 2012|newspaper=Indian Express|language=en-gb}}</ref> It is officially celebrated by the Chhattisgarh Govt in schools and colleges as ordered by the Chief Minister [[Raman Singh]].<ref>[https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-and-current-affairs/story/chhattisgarh-cm-declares-valentines-day-as-matru-pitru-diwas-239455-2015-02-09 Chhattisgarh CM declares Valentine's Day as 'Matru-Pitru Diwas'] " (February 9, 2015). [[India Today]]. Retrieved December 25, 2017.</ref><ref name="Mnews" />

In 2013 some schools & colleges in [[Bhubaneswar]] started to celebrate the Parents Worship Day.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Singha|first1=Minati|title=Children 'worship' parents, teachers|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/Children-worship-parents-teachers/articleshow/18507027.cms|work=The Times of India|date=February 15, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/bhubaneswar/kids-future-brightened-by-parents-blessings.html|title='Kids' future brightened by parents' blessings'|date=2017-02-15|work=The Pioneer|location=Bhubaneswar, Odisha|language=en}}</ref>

In 2015 the state government led by the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] made it an official celebration.<ref name="timesofindia">{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Its-official-Chhattisgarh-renames-V-Day-as-Matru-Pitru-Diwas/articleshow/46151391.cms|title=It's official: Chhattisgarh renames V-Day as 'Matru-Pitru Diwas'|work=The Times of India|date=February 7, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Mnews">{{cite news|last=Kishore|first=Lalit|title=Chhattisgarh makes Parents Worship Day a compulsory observance in schools on February 14|url=http://www.merinews.com/article/chhattisgarh-makes-parents-worship-day-a-compulsory-observance-in-schools-on-february-14/15881586.shtml&cp|newspaper=Meri News|date=February 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131018015852/http://www.merinews.com/article/chhattisgarh-makes-parents-worship-day-a-compulsory-observance-in-schools-on-february-14/15881586.shtml%26cp|archive-date=October 18, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2015 the right wing political party [[Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha]] endorsed the day.<ref name="timesofindia" /> On 14 February 2015, it was celebrated on a large scale by an NGO Bhartiya Yuwa Shakthi at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Krida Mandal, [[Nehru Nagar]], [[Kurla]]. The event imparted theoretical and practical values to parents and children.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.afternoondc.in/city-news/matru-pitru-pujan-diwas-in-kurla-today/article_131713|title=Matru-Pitru Pujan Diwas in Kurla today|website=www.afternoondc.in|accessdate=2015-12-13|archive-date=2015-12-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222083022/http://www.afternoondc.in/city-news/matru-pitru-pujan-diwas-in-kurla-today/article_131713|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was celebrated by Sanatan Dharma Sabha in [[Jammu]] in 2015, 2016, and 2017.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sanatan Dharam Sabha to celebrate 'Parents Worship Day' on Feb 14|url=http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/sanatan-dharam-sabha-celebrate-parents-worship-day-feb-14/|work=Daily Excelsior |date=11 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Sanatan Sabha to celebrate Parents Worship Day|url=http://news.statetimes.in/144788-2/|work=State Times|date=February 9, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Sanatan Dharam Sabha Celebrates "Matra Pitra Poojan Diwas"|url=http://www.themandate.in/2017/02/14/sanatan-dharam-sabha-celebrates-matra-pitra-poojan-diwas/|work=The Mandate|date=14 February 2017|access-date=18 December 2017|archive-date=13 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713173925/http://www.themandate.in/2017/02/14/sanatan-dharam-sabha-celebrates-matra-pitra-poojan-diwas/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2017 the [[District Collector (India)|District collector]] in [[Madhya Pradesh]] issued a notice for schools, youth and urged people to celebrate 14 February as Matru-Pitru Pujan Diwas.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/collector-in-madhya-pradesh-issues-notice-askspeople-to-worship-their-parents-on-valentines-day-4517818/|title=Collector in Madhya Pradesh asks people to worship their parents on Valentine's Day|date=2017-02-10|work=The Indian Express|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Madhya Pradesh: Chhindwara collector asks people to worship their parents on Valentine's Day|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/madhya-pradesh-chhindwara-collector-asks-people-to-worship-their-parents-on-valentines-day/545893/|work=The Financial Express|date=10 February 2017}}</ref>

In December 2017, the education minister of [[Jharkhand]], [[Neera Yadav (politician)|Neera Yadav]] issued a notice to celebrate the day in 40,000 [[State school#India|government schools]] in the state in 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/parents-worship-day-after-chhattisgarh-jharkhand-to-implement-jailed-godman-asar/305893|title=Parents Worship Day: After Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand To Implement Jailed Godman Asaram's Advice|date=2017-12-24|work=outlookindia}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/now-parent-puja-in-jharkhand-schools-to-teach-kids-respect/articleshow/62227160.cms|title=Now, 'parent puja' in Jharkhand schools to teach kids respect|date=2017-12-24|work=The Times of India}}</ref>

In 2018, [[Gujarat Technological University]] and Swaminarayan Institute of Technology celebrated Parents Worship Day to reaffirm respect towards Parents.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/parents-worship-day-observed-as-v-day-counter/articleshow/62922748.cms|title=valentine day: Parents' Worship Day observed as Valentine Day counter|date=February 15, 2018|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2020-01-01}}</ref>

In 2019, Gujarat Education Minister, Bhupendrasinh Chudasama appreciated the initiative of celebrating 14 February as Matru Pitru Pujan Diwas.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/gujarat-minister-bhupendrasinh-chudasama-praises-rape-convict-asarams-ashram-for-planning-matru-pitru-divas-on-14-february-5991271.html|title=Gujarat minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama praises rape-convict Asaram's ashram for planning 'Matru-Pitru Divas' on 14 February|website=Firstpost|date=30 January 2019 |access-date=2020-01-03}}</ref>

In 2020, Gujarat Education department told schools to organize Parents Worship Day on 14 February in order to nurture best values from childhood and to protect Indian culture.<ref>{{Cite web|date=February 9, 2020|first=Yagnesh Bharat|last=Mehta|title=Gujarat: Education department tells schools to organise 'parents worship' on February 14|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/education-dept-tells-schools-to-organise-parents-worship-on-feb-14/articleshow/74035192.cms|access-date=|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>

In 2024, Education minister Madan Dilawar of Rajasthan mentioned about the plan to conduct Parents Worship Day celebration from the next academic session.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-01-29 |title='Parents' Worship Day' on Feb 14 from next session |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/parents-worship-day-on-feb-14-from-next-session/articleshow/107213588.cms |access-date= |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

== Celebration ==

=== Matru Pitru Poojan Diwas ===
Matru Pitru Poojan Diwas (MPPD) also called Matra Pitra Pujan Divas is a festival initiated by Asaramji bapu. On this day, children from all religions worship their parents and seek their blessings by offering them [[Tilaka|tilak]], garland.<ref name=":1" /> It is seen by many as a method to cement the bond between family members and to imbibe good values like respect, obedience and humility in children. Right wing activists claim that it is an alternate method to counter [[teenage pregnancy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/this-valentines-day-hindu-hardliners-to-preach-message-of-love-with-a-twist/|title=This Valentine's Day, Hindu hardliners to preach message of love — with a twist|date=2015-02-06|website=The Indian Express|accessdate=2015-12-13}}</ref> In several states like [[Maharashtra]], [[Haryana]], [[Odisha]], [[Chhattisgarh]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], Valentine's Day has been officially renamed as Matru-Pitru Pujan Diwas.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://zeenews.india.com/madhya-pradesh/worship-your-parents-on-valentines-day-mp-collector-issues-notice_1975672.html|title=Worship your parents on Valentine's Day, MP Collector issues notice|date=2017-02-10|work=Zee News|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/valentines-day-renamed-as-matru-pitru-diwas-in-chhattisgarh-47308.html|title=Valentine's Day renamed as 'Matru-Pitru Diwas' in Chhattisgarh|date=2015-02-07|work=indiatvnews.com|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/state/madhya-pradesh/other-cities/chhindwara-collector-issues-notice-asking-people-to-worship-their-parents-on-valentines-day/articleshow/57082328.cms|title=वैलंटाइंस डे पर कलेक्टर का नोटिस, मातृ-पितृ पूजन दिवस मनाओ - Navbharat Times|date=2017-02-10|work=Navbharat Times|trans-title=Collector Notice - Celebrate Matru Pitru Pujan Diwas}}</ref>

As per Directorate of Public Instructions, every year February 14 is celebrated as Parents' Worship Day instead of Valentine's Day in Chhattisgarh. Parents are invited to schools and children worship them by performing aarti and offering sweets.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/chhattisgarh-cm-declares-valentines-day-as-matru-pitru-diwas-239455-2015-02-09|title=Chhattisgarh CM declares Valentine's Day as 'Matru-Pitru Diwas'|date=February 9, 2015|website=India Today|language=en|access-date=2020-01-04}}</ref>

=== Abba Ammi Ibadat Diwas ===
Muslim students expressed love for parents by celebrating the day as 'Abba Ammi Ibadat Diwas'.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://ahmedabadmirror.indiatimes.com/ahmedabad/others//articleshow/50986089.cms|title=Muslim students express love for parents - Ahmedabad Mirror|date=2016-02-15|work=Ahmedabad Mirror}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Festivals in India]]
[[Category:February observances]]
[[Category:Recurring events established in 2007]]

Parents' Worship Day - Revision history

RowenaClune540: put up a pg