Bidhyabati, an 84-year-old matriarch, had spent the last decade of her life living with her son Kumud and daughters Janaki and Puspa in the United Kingdom. Bidhyabati had raised 10 children in Nepal.She want to celebrate Chaurasi Puja.

Bidhyabati, an 84-year-old matriarch, had spent the last decade of her life living with her son Kumud and daughters Janaki and Puspa in the United Kingdom. Originally from Dang, Nepal, Bidhyabati had raised 10 children, enduring both the joys and struggles of a large family. Though she had grown accustomed to life abroad, her heart remained deeply connected to her homeland and its traditions. One winter evening, as the family gathered in their London living room, Bidhyabati voiced her heartfelt wish. "I want to return to Nepal and celebrate Chaurasi Puja," she said, her eyes shining with determination. Her children paused, unsure at first. "Chaurasi Puja?" Kumud asked. "It's a sacred ceremony for those who reach 84," she explained. "It honors life and grants freedom from worldly obligations. It's something I've dreamed of, but it must be done in Nepal, where I born. Moved by her words, Kumud, Janaki, and Puspa decided to fulfill her wish. Despite their busy lives in the UK, they began making arrangements for a journey back to Nepal-a journey that would not only honor their mother but reconnect them with their heritage.—Kumud Pant