The Legend behind Mother`s Day

Nargis, Sunil Dutt and Rajendra Kumar in a still from classic film `Mother India`. Nargis played mother to the two actors in the film).

Ritika Handoo How important is it to thank your mother for whatever she does for you? Well, a million times would be nothing when it comes to saying, `Thank you mom! For everything`. On the eve of Mother`s Day, let’s go beyond the regular `happy mother`s day` greetings and try to unfold the mystery and legend behind this beautiful day. It is said that the celebration of `Mother`s Day` goes back to the time when the Greeks dedicated the annual spring festival to their maternal goddesses. Rhea, wife of Cronus and the mother to several deities in Greek mythology, is believed to be the one in whose honour the special day is celebrated. For the Romans, this day meant celebrations on the day of `Hilaria`, their spring festival where Cybele, the mother goddess is honoured and revered. Interestingly, for Romans the whole process of honouring the mother goddess on this day dates back to 250 years even before Christ was born. Also, for the Christians, this day meant a festivity on every fourth Sunday of Lent in honour of the Virgin Mary, the Mother of Christ. The legend `mothering Sunday`, a concept which started in England, has it that the holiday was expanded to include all mothers in it. Julia Ward Howe, woman behind Mother`s Day celebration: The woman who rose to fame for her Civil War song, `Battle Hymn of the Republic`, Julia Ward Howe suggested that June 2 be annually celebrated as Mother`s Day and should be dedicated to peace. The lady on a mission pushed for official celebration of the day in US in 1872. Julia tirelessly championed the cause of official celebration of Mother`s Day and declaration of official holiday on the day. Anna Jarvis, Mother`s Day founder in US: Anna Jarvis, another female figure associated with the day, is very important when going down the history of the day. Anna is seen as the official founder of Mother`s Day in the United States of America. She remained unmarried all her life but still won the title of the Mother of Mother`s Day. She worked immensely for the mothers and their struggle.