Selling bundles of Kusha grass on the occasion of Kushe Aunshi at Kathmandu Durbar Square. by Sunil Sharma
The Kusha plant (Eragrostis Cynosuroides) belongs to the grass family and is found abundantly around the world.
For the Nepalese, Kush is a sacred plant, that plays a significant role in all the Hindu rites i.e any life rites and puja is incomplete without it. Because Kush removes highly toxic radioactive atoms from the environment and also bad omen from one’s life. Hence, many Hindu scriptures like Bhagavad Gita, Garuda Purana, Atharva Veda, and Vishnu Purana have sung the glory of Kush grass.
Hindus, on the Kushe Aunshi, Father’s Day bring in kush grass to home which is used while performing various holy rituals such as Shraddha a holy ritual to remember the departed ancestors. This custom is throughout the country. Because it is believed that bringing kush cut by the priests, anointed with mantras, the sacred verses, in the house brings prosperity to the household.
Kush along with Tulasi (basil), Peepal tree (Sacred Fig), and Shaligram stones (ammonite stone) are the symbols of Lord Vishnu.
Apart from religious merit, Kush is also a highly nutritious fodder for livestock and its roots hold even higher medicinal values.
In the West, they call Kush a love grass because in Greek, Eros is love and Agrostis means grass.
