Ann travels over 72 hours to Odisha, joins Satyanarayan Puja and embraces her son’s family traditions
Puri, Aug. 11 (UDN): Thousands of kilometres away from her home in Pennsylvania, American woman Ann found herself immersed in the traditions of Odisha as she celebrated her son Omkar’s first birthday with his Indian family in Puri district.
For Ann, the journey was not just about marking a special milestone in her son’s life. It was also an opportunity to bring Omkar closer to his father’s family and experience the culture that is an important part of his heritage.
Ann married Nayabrata Mallik, a native of Sirei village under Gop block, after the two met through online conversations while Nayabrata was working in the United States. The couple got married in a church in 2023, and their son Omkar was born in 2025.
Nayabrata returned to Odisha when Omkar was just four months old and remained in the state for several months. Unable to return to the US during that period, Ann decided to make the long journey to Odisha with their son so that Omkar could celebrate his first birthday surrounded by his father and extended family.
A Journey of More Than 72 Hours
Ann’s journey from Pennsylvania to her in-laws’ village was a long one. She first travelled by train to New Jersey, then flew to Mumbai and subsequently travelled to Bhubaneswar before finally reaching Sirei.
She has now spent around two months in Odisha and has gradually become familiar with local customs and traditions. During her stay, she participated in the Raja festival and also visited Puri to seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath.
A Birthday Rooted in Odia Traditions
Omkar’s first birthday was celebrated with family members following Hindu customs. The celebrations included a Satyanarayan Puja, traditional feast and cake-cutting ceremony, bringing together relatives from the family.
For Ann, the occasion was a unique blend of her American background and her son’s Odia heritage.
“I wanted him to be surrounded by his family and his dad for his birthday. I enjoyed the celebration a lot. It was wonderful to have all of his father’s family together for my son’s birthday,” Ann said.
Recalling how her relationship with Nayabrata began, she said they met online in the US and travelled together extensively along the East Coast before deciding to get married.
Ann’s journey to Odisha has turned her son’s first birthday into more than just a family celebration—it has become a beautiful meeting point of two cultures, with love and family bringing them together.