Patna: Mother’s Day 2026 is being celebrated across the world on Sunday, with millions of people taking time to thank their mothers for the love, care and sacrifices they make every day. On this special occasion, Google released a unique Mother’s Day Doodle that quickly became popular on social media. The colourful artwork has been designed like a handmade greeting card, featuring paper-cut letters, carnations and a cactus plant. According to the company, the cactus symbolises protection and unconditional love, qualities often associated with mothers. Many users online shared the Doodle along with emotional messages dedicated to their mothers, making it one of the most talked-about online trends of the day.
In countries such as India, United States, Canada and Australia, Mother’s Day is celebrated every year on the second Sunday of May. This year, the occasion falls on 10 May. However, the celebration does not take place on the same date everywhere. In Britain and several European countries, people celebrate Mothering Sunday during March. In Thailand, Mother’s Day is observed on 12 August to mark the birthday of Queen Sirikit, while in Ethiopia, families organise traditional festivals to honour mothers. Despite different traditions and dates, the message behind the day remains the same — expressing gratitude and love for mothers and caregivers.
The history of Mother’s Day goes back thousands of years. In ancient Greece and Rome, festivals were held during spring to honour mother goddesses such as Rhea and Cybele. People offered flowers, sweets and prayers during these celebrations. Later, in Europe, the tradition of Mothering Sunday became popular, where people would visit their “mother church” during Lent. The modern version of Mother’s Day started in the early 20th century in the United States because of the efforts of social activist Anna Jarvis. She organised a special gathering to honour her mother, who had worked for community welfare during the American Civil War. Over time, the second Sunday of May was officially recognised as Mother’s Day.
Today, Mother’s Day is not only about biological mothers. People also use the occasion to honour grandmothers, stepmothers, foster mothers, aunts and all women who have played a caring and supportive role in their lives. For some people, the day is emotional because they may have lost their mothers or live far away from them. This emotional connection is one of the reasons why Google’s simple and handmade-style Doodle touched so many hearts. Many users online said the design reminded them of childhood greeting cards and memories of spending time with their mothers. The Doodle’s soft and personal style has made it especially meaningful for people celebrating the day across the world.
