It is Pumpkin season here, around the year!

It is Pumpkin season here,

Around the year!

Speaks of our fertile lands,

And our love for pumpkins,

Grown on a large scale,

In fields,

And in kitchen gardens!

And relished!

In every possible way,

By preparing curries,

Sweet or spicy,

And in everyday Sambar,

And as fried;

Crunchy Vadiyalu!

And occasionally,

In trying out exotic preparations,

Like pumpkin soups,

And pumpkin pies!

As you see in these pictures,

And they are popularly used,

By one and all in India,

Especially in South India,

At religious ceremonies,

For the Gods,

The living,

And the departed!

And used,

To ward off evil,

By displaying at entrances,

Or breaking them down,

In front of our dear possessions!