Paan Kasay Wadhavay

When I first looked at the picture of the Paan/Kelichay Paan or the Banana Leaf, I thought of our Ganpati celebrations in Goa and Mumbai. We bought large size leaves from the market for the 2 days of festivities. Infact, we had to reserve the good Paan in advance. For the lunch and dinner, we prepared almost everything as shown on the picture here, except the Puranpoli and Basundi. Instead we made Idli and Khatkhatay ( a Goan mix vegetable curry similar to Avial). All the things cooked were to be served on the leaf and I do remember my mother instructing all of us on placing the food at the proper side of it. Though I forgot most of it, I know that sweet is to be served last. I do follow that and keep Shrikhand last on the buffet table on Ganpati Day. This picture will be a sure guide for serving in correct style be it a leaf or a plate. Infact, we all must do one potluck "Waadhapi Project" involving everybody including the kids ., and try to make/buy most of the things and see what happens when we try to serve :)
Posted by Radha Chetan Raj at 5/20/2009 04:50:00 PM Labels: Culture

About Gudhi Padwa

Gudhi Padwa is celebrated on first day of lunar month, Chaitra. It is the beginning of the new year, Hindu Shaliwahan Shak. Hindus belive Lord Brahma created the Universe on this day & hence it is believed to be the beginning of the Universe. It is said that on this day Brahma waves or elememnts are very active, so a Brahma Dhwaja or Flag of Brahma is raised outside the house. The flag is made with long wooden pole. A piece of new cotton or silk clot is tied to the end of the pole. On the top an inverted copper or silver bowl is placed which acts as an antenna to attract the waves to bring these positive waves in our homes.

Another reason for the importance of this day is King Shaliwahan started Shaliwahan Shak(Shaliwana Year). Year 2009 is Shaliwahan Shak 1231.

It is one of the 3 1/2 muhurta or auspicious days in hindu calendar. It is considered ideal for thread ceremonies, weddings, start new ventures, move into new home, or for any kind of good beginnings.

For Maharashtrians, Gudhi Padwa is the begining of the new year. This day also marks arrival of spring season. People celebrate this festival by raising the Gudhi outside their houses. They put garlands made of marigold flowers and mango leaves around the house and vehicle (if any). Also there is a tradition to eat Neem (kadunimb) leaves and flowers and prepare sweets.
Posted by Radha Chetan Raj at 3/29/2009 02:32:00 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: Culture

Navratri

Meaning of Navratri
Festival of Navratri is celebrated on 1st day of hindu month of Ashwin. Navratri can be transalated as Nav (Nine)+ Ratri (Nights) = NineNights.
The festival is celebrated to worship Goddess Durga- she is the symbol of Power and Energy.

In these 9 days Goddess Durga, Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswati are worshipped.

On the 1st, 2nd and 3rd days different forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped.
On the 1st day - Goddess Kumari, on the 2nd day - Goddess Parvati and on the3rd day -Goddess Kali is worshipped.

On the 4th, 5th and 6th days Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped. On 5th day - Goddess Saraswati is also worshipped. The fifth day is also known as Lalita Panchami.

On the 7th, 8th and 9th days, Goddess Saraswati is worshipped. Goddess Saraswati is goddess of Knowledge and Arts. On 8th day a havan or Yadna is performed and on 9th day is Kanya pujan or worship of young girls is performed.

The festival of Navratri culminates in the festival of Dussera.
Posted by Radha Chetan Raj at 9/29/2008 07:04:00 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: Culture

Aashadhi Ekadashi and Kanday Navami

Aashaadhi EkaadashiThe 11th day in bright fortnight of month of Aashaad is known as the great ekadashi or Maha Ekadashi. On this day Lord Vithoba is worshipped throughout Maharashtra. All Temples have specials offerings for the lord, but Vithoba temple in town of Pandharpur ( south of Maharashtra ) is of utmost importance as it is considered abode of Lord Vithoba. Lord Vithoba is Lord Vishnu’s incarnate.
This day is of utmost important to Warkari Sect of Maharashtra. These people walk to Pandharpur from their respective towns in a procession called Dindee and are strict vegetarians. They wear beads made from bark of Tulsi plant and don’t belive in caste or class discrimination.
This ekaadashi is also known as Devshayani Ekaadashi, because on this day Lord Vishnu falls asleep and wakes up four month later on Kaartiki or Prabhodini Ekaadashi ,in the month of Kaartik. This 4 month period called Chaturmas .
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Kaanday Navami
Couple of days before Aashaadhi Ekaadashi, there is a tradition to celebrate Kaanday Navami ( 9 th day in bright fortnight of month of Aashaad ) . Kaanday means onions.
On this day variety of delicacies are prepared with onion as main ingredient, such as thalipeeth, bhajji, etc. The reason to celebrate food with onions is that starting with Aashaadhi Ekaadashi, people give up on food containing onion and garlic for next 4 months ( Chaturmas ). Hence the importance of Kaanda (onion). Well, this is only for people who follow these traditions, for others like me, it’s a difficult task.
Posted by Radha Chetan Raj at 7/14/2008 06:13:00 PM Labels: Culture

Hindu Calendar

Hindu Lunar Calendar is one of the oldest calendar. The new year for Maharashtrian hindus begins somewhere in March/ April. I have tried to put together the simplest form to explain it.


The the structure of the month is divided into 2 fortnights. The month begins on the day after Amavasya (no moon or new moon day).
The first day of the month is called Paadwa. The first fortnight or 15 days is called Shukla Paksh or bright fortnight as the moon is in waxing stage and it ends on Full Moon or Pournima. The second fortnight is period after full moon to new moon is called Krishna Paksha or dark fortnight, this period ends in Amavasya and the day after it is first day of new month or Paadwa.


The days are numbered from 1 to 14 and the 15th is a Full Moon or a New Moon The days are named as follows Paadwa -1 , Dwitiya -2 , Tritiya -3, Chaturthi -4, Panchami -5, Sashti -6, Saptami -7, Ashtami -8, Navami -9, Dhashmi -10, Ekaadashi -11, Dwaadashi -12, Trayodashi -13, Chaturdahshi -14, (Full moon or New Moon)
Sometime the days or tithis are overlapped.


The names of the month and some of the festivals celebrated in the month are as follows
Months - Festivals
Chaitra (March/April) - Gudi Paadwa or New Year Day
Vaishaakh
Jyeshtha
Aashaadha - Aashaadhi Ekaadhashi
Shraavan -Shri Krishna Janmashtami, RakshaBandhan
Bhaadrapad - Ganesh Chaturthi
Ashwin - Navaratri
Kaartik - Kaartik Ekaadashi
Margashirsha
Pausha
Maagha - Ganesh Janma/Jayanti
Phaalguna - Holi


There is also “extra month” in the calendar. It is called as Adhik Mahinaa. It falls once in every 2.5 to 3 years. A little about this month, the twelve hindu months are about 356 days . As per solar calendar the there are 365/366 days. So there is a gap of around 9 to 10 days every year. So Adhik Mahina is added to bridge this gap and balance the year.
Posted by Radha Chetan Raj at 6/27/2008 05:26:00 PM Labels: Culture

Vat Pournima

Vata Savitri Pooja
Vatasavitri is a vow observed by married Maharashtrian women. In Mumbai, I have also seen Gujrati women keeping this vow. On this day women fast for the entire day and only eat fruits. They pray for their husband’s long life and prosperity. They tie white thread around Banyan tree or Vada tree and go around the tree seven times holding the thread in their hand, praying. After this they give haldi kumkum and fruits like jambhul, mango, jackfruit slices put together on a banyan leaf to other women.
As a child, I remember eating lots of Jambul and mangoes and it use to always rain on this day.

Back in Mumbai I observed this vrat for few years, now in US, it becomes little difficult with the lifestyle here. Still, I do remember our traditions and hence a small effort to bring it over.

The story is of Savitri who was a pativrata (chaste woman) and her love, admiration and affection towards her husband, Satyawan. It so happened that once Lord Yama (God of Death) comes to take Satyawan away with him. Savitri couldn’t bear the loss and pleads Lord Yama to bring Satyawan back to life. Lord Yama refused and said once dead it cannot be possible to revive. Savitri debated with Lord Yama and the deliberation continued for couple of days. In the end Lord Yama was pleased with Savitri and brought Satyawan back to life.
All this happened under a Banyan or Vad tree which is why Banyan tree is associated with this vrat. Also if you notice, the Banyan has long life and it spread its branches to wide areas and re grows from them. This is symbol of long life and growth.

This vrat or observance fall on full moon in the Hindu lunar calendar month of Jyestha somewhere in June/July. In the year 2008, it falls on June 18th.
(Picture source www.maharastratimes.com)

Posted by Radha Chetan Raj at 6/18/2008 05:36:00 PM 1 comments Links to this post
Labels: Culture

Rangoli - A Cultural Tradition In The Form Of Art

Rangoli is a very famous form of art among people of India. The rangoli is drawn to propitiate the deity to bring good luck, happiness and prosperity into homes. Colorful design is made on clean ground. These designs are usually made from rice powder or colorful sand powder. Some rangolis are made from various colorful flowers and some are made using whole grain.


Here are examples of rangoli form used in different parts of India.

Alpana- Powdered Rice Rangoli

Alpana is a form of Rangoli which is prevalent in West Bengal, Orissa and Assam.
It is drawn on the entrance of the door, in the temple, in front of the deity at home.
Alpana is drawn during weddings and festivals or to mark any happy occasion.
The designs are made with the powder rice. This powder is sometime mixed with turmeric powder, sea shell powder to get various shades.


Colored Powder Rangoli –Colored Sand Art


In Maharashtra and other western parts of India, Colorful sand drawings are made on the entrance or doorstep during festival of Diwali (festival of lights) to welcome Goddess Laxmi. Designs include peacocks, lotus, flowers, creepers, swastikas, Om, symmetrical patterns etc


Colored Rice and Grain Rangoli

Rangoli made from whole colored rice and whole grains are prevalent mostly in Gujarat. This form of art is found throughout India.Rice is mixed in various color and then laid out in beautiful pattern on the ground. Similarly whole grains like moong, matki, rajma, tuvar dal, colored sabudana is used to form colorful rangoli designs

Flower Rangoli
Rangoli made from flowers are more prominent in South India. Rangolis are made on festivals and during wedding or puja.
Flowers are first broken into petals and leaves are cut into small pieces.
Flowers are then arranged according to the colors on the ground and leaves are generally used as fillers or borders. Decorative lamps are placed near rangoli to add to its beauty.


Posted by Radha Chetan Raj at 6/15/2008 06:09:00 PM 2 comments Links to this post
Labels: Culture