For all the posts in this Holidays & Observances series, go here.
Prologue: I have been meaning to write a series about Holidays and Observances that we (my family and friends) follow in both India (my birth country) and USA (my adopted country). This series is dedicated to those. On a side note, perhaps I might witness some of the celebrations from other countries as well that may get their way into this series. š
This is a traditional festival where Hindus, Buddhists and Jains worship Naga or snake. It was on Aug 21st this year (2023). This begins the four month long festival season for Hindus. Devotees celebrate by offering milk to live snakes (which reside inside a mound of red soil) or to the figures of serpents.
In our family once we offer our prayers and milk to the snake god, the girls of the family visit their brothers, exchange gifts and end the day with scrumptious and delicious food. I had not been to this event in more than 20 years back home. Last year when I was in India visiting family, I got to be part of this occasion.
Here is me beside one of the snake mound near a local temple in my parent’s city with my mother.
And the festivities afterwards at both my uncles homes (my mom’s brothers) with some scrumptious brunch.
Galavant Reflections 