Nag Panchami

Festivals of Maharastra

Hey everyone… I have dedicated this space to share my observations of the festivals celebrated in Maharastra, India. We recently moved to Nagpur, where I get to watch the rituals and festivals at my in-laws. Eventhough the originality of all the festivals have changed to suit modern days and quick lifestyles, everyone tries to continue the tradition and culture.  

Nag Panchami, 27^th July 2017

Nag Panchami is generally known to be a ritual performed to worship snakes and pray for safe and long lives. However, I am sure most of us are unaware of the actual reason or story behind the ritual according to the Hindu mythology. Inorder to know it in detail please visit the Wikipedia page called Nag Panchami. Link: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nag_Panchami

It was believed that snakes were to be saved and not hurt or killed during ploughing by the farmers. That’s why they do not dig earth on this day. Similarly, even these days people don’t cut or chop or dig at their homes. Use of Knifes, Scissors etc., are banned or hidden to avoid cutting. We did chop all the required vegetables a day in advance and made all the preparation for the pooja and prasad.

On the day of Nag Panchami, people worship and offer prayers (pooja) in front of snake statues made of wood, metals, paper or even drawing of snakes. Milk and sweets are offered to the snake idols and worshiped with slogans specially meant for this day. After the pooja, laahi and milk are just sprinkled in one of the corners of every room.  

As we all know and look forward to, special dishes are made along with a sweet dish for Prasad. Ladies of the house raise early in the morning, take bath and start cooking the special dishes. Once everything is ready, a small plate is served with little of all the dishes made for the offering (called Nayvedhyam), before which we are not even supposed to taste the food. The first offering is for the gods.

Pooja is performed in front of the snake idol along with other gods in the pooja room/temple by reciting the slogans and they only eat after the neyvedhyam. Mentioned below are the dishes made by my in-laws today at our house for the ritual. Prasad – Rava Sheera, Dishes – Roti, Bhindi ki Sabji, Puri, Tondli ki Sabji, Masale bhath, Kadi and Vade. 

Raksha Bandhan, 7th August 2017

Raksha Bandhan which means ‘The Bond of Protection’ is the most familiar festival celebrated by Indians across the world. This day is dedicated to celebrate the relationship of brother and sister, whereas sister ties Rakhi (the holy wrist band) on brother’s wrist and they exchange gifts. This bond of protection is celebrated not only between brothers and sisters, its maybe between brother-in-law and sister-in-law or anyone with whom we share a bond of protection out of love and care.

This festival is celebrated on the full moon day of the hindu month of ‘Shravana’ and as a co-incidence this year its on 7^th August (Monday) which is my birthday. Also, Maharastrian Brahmans consider every Monday of the month of Shravana and perform Pooja in their houses by a pandit/brahman. After completion of pooja bael patthi (Sanskrit), which means leaves of Wood Apple tree are offered to God along with Prasad.

My in-laws fast on all Mondays usually, wherein Shravana Mondays are special among those. Upvas or Vrat recipes (fasting recipes) are made at home like Sabudana Kichadi with Groundnut Aamti, Bhagar, Boiled Potato fries, etc., And special dishes are prepared in the evening to end the day’s fast and celebrate the festival.

I had already couriered two Rakhis to my brother and his son on behalf of me and daughter (it was my daughter Shanaya’s first Raksha Bandhan). I also use to send rakhis to 3 of my brother-in-laws. But this year since we are in Nagpur I tied rakhi on their wrists for the first time and gave gifts.

Krishna Janmastami, 14th August 2017

Janmastami is the birthday of Lord Krishna and is another festival celebrated by Hindus in all regions of India, though with different names, rituals and customs. Since Lord Krishna is popularly known for his mischiefs as a baby/kid, baby Krishna statues or idols are decorated and rocked in a baby swing as a part of the festival. 

In Maharastra, people usually have small idols of bal Krishna at their home along with a small swing made of metal. On this day, all the idols in the temple are bathed, worn new dress (we get tiny gorgeous dresses for little idols here), temple room is decorated, special dishes where made and prayers are performed at midnight 12:00 am by swinging the baby Krishna and offering (neyvedhyam) his favorites like thick cream, curd, etc., People fast on this day as well and break the fast after pooja.

This is another festival wherein people get themselves dressed up in traditional attire and jewelry, perform pooja, invite relatives and friends over for the pooja and have a socializing dinner. Pregnant ladies and newly weds pray for baby like Krishna. Newborn babies and kids are treated like lord Krishna himself and are dressed like him. Also few people invite kids over to their place for special dinner/snacks and sweets. This year is my baby girl Shanaya’s first Janmastami and I dressed her up as well. Posted are few photographs of the day.