Walnuts galore in Mandi for Sair
The Sair festival was celebrated with great enthusiasm here today, marking the end of the monsoon season and the arrival of winter.
The festival, which falls during the Ashwin month according to Hindu calendar, is a time for expressing gratitude to the gods for a bountiful harvest, and for preparing for the coming winter season.
During this festival, which typically coincides with the culmination of the Kharif crop season, devotees offer a portion of their harvest and seasonal fruits to Sair Mata, a local deity associated with agriculture.
The rituals include worshipping crops and fruits, symbolising a heartfelt thanks to the divine for the prosperous yield.
In the town of Mandi, the festival is celebrated with great fervour. One of the main attractions of the festival is the widespread sale and distribution of walnuts, a tradition that adds a festive touch to the occasion. Vendors selling walnuts are a common sight in Mandi during this time, drawing locals and visitors alike.
A notable tradition associated with the festival is the game of walnut-tossing.
In rural areas, this game remains a cherished activity. Participants gather in streets, corners or courtyards to play, throwing walnuts from a distance and aiming to hit scattered walnuts on the ground.
Successful throws allow players to keep the walnuts they hit. This game is popular among all age groups, reflecting its deep-rooted cultural significance.
