Dehradun, Aug. 10 -- When disaster struck the peaceful village of Dharali in Uttarkashi district in the form of a sudden cloudburst, it brought devastation - homes were swept away, lives were lost, and the mighty mountains reminded everyone of nature's unpredictable power.

Yet, amid the sorrow, a miracle unfolded - many villagers were away from home, safely attending an ancient, lesser-known ritual called the Hardhoodh Festival, observed at a nearby temple dedicated to Nag Devta, the Serpent God of the mountains.

This age-old tradition, celebrated by the people of Dharali, Bhatwari, and Dhaali, is not documented in textbooks, not featured in tourism brochures, and not marked by fanfare or headlines. Hardhoodh lives in the oral landscape...