In most countries,
Mother's Day is a recent observance derived from the holiday as it has evolved in America. When it was adopted by other countries and cultures, it was given different meanings, associated to different events (religious, historical or legendary), and celebrated in a different date or dates.
The extent of the celebrations varies greatly. In some countries, it is potentially offensive to one's mother not to mark Mother's Day. In others, it is a little-known festival celebrated mainly by immigrants, or covered by the media as a taste of foreign culture.
Early Christians celebrated a Mother's Day of sorts during the festival on the fourth Sunday of Lent in honor of the Virgin Mary, the Mother of Christ. In England the holiday was expanded to include all mothers. It was then called Mothering Sunday. In
Hindu tradition it is called "Mata Tirtha Aunshi" or "Mother Pilgrimage fortnight", and it is celebrated in countries with Hindu population, especially in Nepal. It is celebrated on the new moon day in the month of Baisakh i.e. April/May. This holiday is based in Hindu religion and it pre-dates the creation of the Western-inspired holiday by at least a few centuries. Some Islamic scholars have published fatwas against dedicating a single day to honor mothers, which detracts from honoring them year round as ordered by the Quran.
Today Mothers Day is celebrated in several countries including Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Ethiopia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Honduras, India, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan, Turkey, Ukraine, USA, Vietnam, Zimbabwe etc.
Mother's Day is celebrated to honor all mothers. People take the day as an opportunity to pay tribute to their mothers and thank them for all their love and support. Most countries including US, Australia, Canada and India celebrate Mothers Day on the second Sunday of May.
