Gugnaumi, one of the popular festivals of
Himachal Pradesh, is celebrated in honor of Googa, the lord of snakes. In all the temples of Googa, a large feast is organized, in which the food is prepared from the grains collected by the
guru. The farmers offer food and pray for their prosperity.
On this day, the walls are graced with drawings of snakes in turmeric, and the people feed the snake with milk and butter. In order to be healed, mentally sick women dance at the temples, and there is a belief that the spirit of Googa comes upon the deceased and suggests ways to get rid of the ailments.
The fair commonly take place at the two major temples - the Googa Saloh and Shibo-Da-than.
