The following funny Marathi message being
circulated regarding Gatari Amavasya loosely translates to: Relish the
sumptuous non vegetarian dishes before Shravan begins.
Kombadicha rassa matanachi sath,
machchi ani aamti ni biryanicha bhaat,
bombilachi kadhi bharlela taat,
khavun gya sagal shravan mahina yaychya
aat!
Gatari Amavasyachya hardik subechya.
Gatari Amavasya, most popularly known as Gatari, is a regional festival celebrated especially in Maharashtra and some parts of Goa. This Gatari Amavasya falls on Ashadh Amavasya, the new moon day in the month of Ashad as per the Hindu calendar. Gatari is a celebration of joy and festivity. On Gatari day, Marathi people enjoy eating non-vegetarian food and drinks, inviting the month of Shravan with utmost fervour. In Goa, most of the Hindus follow Shravan, therefore, this is the last day they can drink and eat non-veg.
The word Gatari itself sounds funny. Ask one of the revellers from Goa and he says, “In fact, one of the reasons why it is called ‘Gatari’ is that people drink too much and some even fall into gutters. After Gatari Amavasya, one month of Shravan begins. So it is like a farewell party to chicken, mutton, fish and alcohol for one full month.”
Offering another facet of this festival is an elderly person who explains the age-old religious aspect of it. He says, “Ashadh amavasya means ‘Diwali Amavasya’ or Diwali Awas’. The term Gatari Amavasya is given by the new generation. However, the religious and scientific aspect of it is different. It was believed that the month of Ashadh was vulnerable to diseases like Swine flu, malaria, typhoid, etc. Owing to this, villagers would offer animals to please gods and goddesses.”
“Also, in earlier times, many houses had metallic brass lamps; people would light them up and decorate their courtyards with these lamps, rangoli and flowers. It used to be followed by dinner where guests were invited to relish non-vegetarian food items and one sweet dish called ‘vade’,” he adds.
Says youngster Tejas Pandit, “This amavasya comes after Ashadhi Ekadashi and prior to the Hindu holy month of Shravan. On this day, people eat a lot of non-vegetarian food, consume alcohol etc as in the holy month they will not eat nor drink. In some villages like Chodne, devotees offer cocks and goats to the Devchar or Rakhandar. These offerings are then cooked and eaten as Prasad by the gaonkars (villagers).”
Teetotaller Amey Joshi from Mapusa states, “I feel that during Shravan, the rainy season is at its peak and the weather can cause digestive problems, hence people keep away from hard drinks and non vegetarian food. Gatari Amavasya is like the Indian version of carnival where people eat, drink and enjoy. Wine stores will see a rise in customers and sales. Beer and other alcoholic drinks will also sell quickly.”
Vivek Naik, from Margao says, “While I have never tasted alcohol, most of my friends enjoy the occasional drink. It’s common practice in Maharashtra to follow Shravan till Ganapati Visarjan by completely abstaining from alcohol and non-veg. The actual meaning of ‘gatari’ is to drink so much that one loses their senses and falls into a gutter, following this with complete abstinence. I don’t see the relevance of this practice; it’s just an excuse to have a gala time.”