Festivals of India

Narali Purnima

Narali Purnima, also known as ‘Coconut Day’ takes place mostly in Maharasthra & Kerala. It is an important festival celebrated majorly by Hindu fishing community in the western coastal regions of India. They celebrate this festival to ward off untoward incidents while sailing in the sea. It is observed on the ‘Purnima’ (full moon day) in the month of ‘Shravana’ in the Hindu calendar, which is referred as ‘Shravana Purnima’. The word ‘Narali’ is derived from ‘Naral’ or ‘Nariyal’ (coconut) and ‘purnima’ signifies the ‘full moon day’ and therefore coconut holds an important purpose on this day.

On the day of Narali Festival, fishermen of Maharashtra worship Samudra (Sea God) and Varuna Deva (Rain God). On this occasion, a ‘nariyal’ (coconut) is offered to the Sea God. It is believed that brightly performing the puja rituals on Shravana Purnima, they can please the Lord and seek His protection from all dangers of the sea. Coconut is important for all religious occasions. Thus, coconut is considered to be an ideal offering to the Sea God as well. On Narali Purnima, devotees also offer prayers to Shiva as it is believed that the three eyes of coconut are a depiction of 3-eyed Lord Shiva. The ‘Upnayan’ and ‘Yagyopaweet’ rituals are among the most widely followed rituals. On Narali Purnima, as a gesture of gratitude and respect towards Mother Nature, people also plant coconut trees along the coast.

After the Puja, fishermen sail in the sea, in their ornately decorated boats. They perform the pooja to the Sea God to protect them from natural calamities. A coconut is broken in front of the deities before taking up a new venture to seek blessings. Narali Poornima marks the monsoon season and represents the beginning of new fishing period.

Pieces of coconut and coconut are distributed as 'prasad'. Coconut rice is the main dish on this day. Dancing and singing form the main attraction of this festival.

In the other regions of the country, the festival of Narali Purnima coincides with other festivals like ‘Shravani Purnima’, ‘Raksha Bandhan’ and ‘Kajari Poornima’. Even though the traditions and cultures may differ, the significance remains the same.

Image Curtesy:

1. https://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/maharashtra/festival/narali-pournima-or-raksha-bandhan

2. Google.com

An Unknown Story of A Popular Festival - Raksha Bandhan

In India, Raksha Bandhan is one of the most important festivals; celebrated during the month of August. The day is usually the full moon day of the Hindu month Shravan. It is a special occasion to celebrate the emotional bond of love between a brother and a sister, by tying a holy thread called ‘Rakhi’ around the right wrist of the brother. It signifies that the strong must protect the weak from all that’s evil. There are so many popular historical and mythological stories are behind this festival; but today, I want to share a quite unknown story of Raksha Bandhan.

It was July 1905. Lord Curzon, the contemporaneous Viceroy of India, announced the Partition of Bengal. As details of the plan became public knowledge, prominent Bengalis began a series of demonstrations against partition and a boycott of British products. At that time, the Indian first Nobel Laureate for literature, Rabindranath Tagore took initiative to take the British Emperor back their decision. They wanted to break the unity of Hindus and Muslims in during India's colonial era. Rabindranath Tagore used the idea of Raksha Bandhan to spread the feeling of brotherhood. He arranged a ceremony to celebrate Raksha Bandhan to strengthen the bond of love and togetherness between Hindus and Muslims of Bengal, and urge them to protest the British Empire together. He composed a poem titled "Rakhi" and marched through Calcutta with Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Aurobindo Ghosh for a holy mass dip in the Ganges. They tied rakhi to people's hands as a symbol of the unbreakable unity of Bengal. In certain parts of India, especially to the east, Hindus and Muslims tie rakhis to each other to promote communal harmony.

Unfortunately, all the efforts were unsuccessful; But, the Rakhi Mahotsavas, started by Rabindranath Tagore remain as a symbol of Bengal unity, and as a larger community festival of harmony. In parts of West Bengal, his tradition continues as people tie rakhis not only to brothers, as well as to their neighbors and close friends.

This year, Rakhi Bandhan festival falls on 7^th August; and 22 Shravan according to Bengali calendar, which is the death anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore. I salute this great soul from the core of my heart.

Festivals of India

Jamai Sashti

In Bengal, Jamai Sashti is a day, exclusively for son-in-laws; when they get a day to come closer with in-law’s family in a very traditional way. On the day of Jamai Sashti, the in-laws invite their daughter and son-in law for a grand feast, which is preceded by few rituals. The 'jamai' or the son-in-law is treated with his favourite delicacies by his in-laws specially to ensure that he treats their daughter with due respect for the rest of the year! 😀 While the centre of attention is the son-in-law, the main person behind the event is the mother-in-law, who, in addition to undertaking the rituals and in charge of all the planning. 

 

The Story behind Jamai Shasti:  

 

Goddess Shasthi

It is said that Jamaishasthi originated ages ago as a part of a women's socio-religious duty. Goddess Shasthi is always worshipped by the women folk of the family for the goodwill of their children. It was told that there once existed a family in a certain town whose youngest daughter-in-law was a greedy woman. She used to eat most of the dishes and blame it on the cat that used to frequent their home. The cat who is the vehicle of Goddess Shasthi complained about the in justice done to her. It is said the daughter-in-law of the household gave birth to seven sons and a daughter but all her children were stolen from her. Heartbroken she was driven away from home to the jungle. While she sat crying Goddess Shasthi took pity on her and appeared before her in the guise of an old woman. When the young woman poured out her sorrow, Shasthi reminded her of her past wrongdoings. She repented and asked for mercy. She was then asked to perform some social rituals which brought back her children. This story inspired many women to pray to the Goddess Shasthi for their children and perform puja. This slowly took turn to Jamai Shasthi.

The Rituals: 

On the arrival of the daughter and son-in-law a brief social ritual was performed.  The son-in-law is given five fruits followed by 'aashirbad' with 'dhan and dubbo'. A mark or a "phota" with curd is applied on the forehead of the son-in-law and a yellow thread; called ‘Sashti Suto’ tied around his wrist.

The menu: 

Including special Bengali dishes such as 'various fish delicacies', 'prawn malaikari' & special sweets; the full course lunch is prepared by the loving mother-in-law for her son-in-laws. Bowls of vegetable curries and various fish curries elaborately arrange around the main dish, a plate full of rice or pollau.

Fish Market in Jamai Sashti!😁

After the ‘Royal’ meal is over, Bengal's spacial 'Mishti Pan' or Pan Mashala is in the queue; and the rest of the day is spent on friendly and warm social interaction. The occasion is meant to bring the couple, especially the son-in-law closer to the wife's family. As such it is a family festival and aimed to further secure the family ties.

**This Jamai Sashti, use LAL HIT to get a cockroach-free and fragrant kitchen and say #NoMoreFoodPoisioning!

Read Here:Mamma’s Kitchen Is Ready for Jamai Sashti with LAL HIT

Talk about India, from India with you

Good morning/Good afternoon/Good evening my friends out there! This is 12:30pm. 12^th January, 2017, Thursday in India. At first,
 

😀 Happy New Year to All of You my friends 😀

This is my first post of this year and I have chosen this day to be with you! Because, this is the ‘National Youth Day’! In India, Swami Vivekananda is regarded as a patriotic saint of modern India and his birthday is celebrated as National Youth Day. Every year, on this day, I try to write something special for you. This year, on the 154th Birthday of Swami Vivekanada, I am going to share some rare pictures of Swamiji for you. Let me allow sharing some special words of Swamiji and the pictures!

Remembering Swami Vivekananda, the great soul of humanity

“Arise! Awake! and stop not until the goal is reached”.

At Baranagore Math, the first math of the disciples of Ramakrishna, 1887.

“You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher but your own soul”.

At Baranagore Math, 1887.

"When an idea exclusively occupies the mind, it is transformed into an actual physical or mental state".

At Chicago in September 1893

"We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care about what you think. Words are secondary. Thoughts live; they travel far."

 

At Chicago in September 1893 - The East Indian Group

“External nature is only internal nature writ large.”

At Green Acre, circa 1894

"The world is the great gymnasium where we come to make ourselves strong."

 

At Madras (now Chennai), February 1897

 

“Where can we go to find God if we cannot see Him in our own hearts and in every living being.”

 

Ridgely Manor, New York, September 1899 with Swami Turiyananda, Swami Abhedananda, Alberta Sturges, Besse Leggett, Josephine MacLeod.

“All the powers in the universe are already ours. It is we who have put our hands before our eyes and cry that it is dark.”

South Pasadena, California, January 1900.

“Truth can be stated in a thousand different ways, yet each one can be true.”

Swamiji with Narsimhcharya

Well, that’s all for today. Hope you all like the post! New posts coming very soon; please stay tuned with me and take care of your family and yourself. Have a good day/ afternoon/evening/night! Namaskar!

"The moment I have realized God sitting in the temple of every human body, the moment I stand in reverence before every human being and see God in him - that moment I am free from bondage, everything that binds vanishes, and I am free." - Swami Vivekananda

  Image Courtesy: Google.com