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
