As Hindus in Goa and across the country closes on the grand festival of Ganesh Chaturthi during the month of Bhadrapad, people are already engrossed in the festive mode in the lunar month of Shravan, which is considered as very sacred time during monsoon season. It is month filled with festivals and devotion to nature and God as everyone keenly waits for its arrival. And, to the children it’s the time of the year when they rejoice the varieties of delicious sweets that are cooked all through the month.
This year, Shravan month began with something called Adhik Mass (extra month), that basically happens every 33rd month to off-set the difference between Lunar and Solar calendar. “Lunar year is shorter by 11 days in a year. During Adhik Mass, no Hindu festivals or rituals are performed during this period. Actual Shravan begins on August 17 that is today this year,” says Ganpat Sidhaye from Britona, who is well versed in the Hindu customs and traditions.
Engineer by profession, Ganpat enlightened, “This month can be divided into three main parts, namely natural, scientific and religious aspect. Normally, we consider that there are four seasons in a year, but as per Indian traditions there are six seasons. Chaitra and Vaishakh months forms the Vasant Rutu, spring season), Jyestha-Ashadha (Grishma Rutu, summer), Shravan-Bhadrapadh (Varsha Rutu, rainy), Ashvin- Kartik (Sharad Rutu, Autumn) Margashirsha-Pausha (Hemant Rutu, pre-winter) and Maagh-Falgun (Shishir Rutu, winter)”.
Shravan month is the celebration of Lord Shiva as every Monday there is special pooja in the temples and at home. It is considered as during ‘Churning of Oceans’ by god and demons for extracting immortality nectar, poison came out from serpent, Vasuki’s mouth, which was drunk by Lord Shiva that turned his body into blue colour. The Lord saved the universe from destruction as he absorbed all evils, Ganpat mentions this legendary tale from the Indian mythology.
“There is abundance of water which is considered to come from Shiva’s head in the form of Goddess Ganga that leads to greenery everywhere with beautiful rainbows in the sky. Since it is also the breeding season of many animals, many people abstain from having any non-vegetarian food during the whole month”, he adds.
People understood nature well as scientifically, during monsoon, there is low immunity, there are more chances of getting sick due to insect bites and spread of contagious diseases. Considering this month as sacred, it leads to cleanliness and immunity is built by consuming nutritious food grown during monsoon season which controls our health, points out Ganpat. Since this is a festival season, on certain days people under fasting and varieties of seasonal food balances our body physiology.
The festivals during Shravan, namely Nagpanchami and Narali or Sutachi Punav signifies our relation with nature and Gokulashtami, the birth of Lord Krishna brings about the fun moment and spiritual teachings. The festival of Nagpanchmi, worshipping of snake is linked to agriculture as after cultivation in the month Ashadh, sprouting of new crop begins during this month. Newly grown grains are destroyed by the rodents, and the crops are protected from rodent by the snake who kills them. “The snake is always considered as the friend of the farmer,” informs Ganpat.
Ganpat confirms, “During Narali Pournima or Punav, Shriphal (coconut) signifies Goddess Laxmi which is offered to the sea or ocean for prosperity after the break during breeding season of four months and fishing activity restart. This was known to people since time immemorial so that nature replenishes resources again.”
The social festival of Raksha Bandhan that is celebrated on the same is a bond between not only sisters and brothers but also adopted relations for good deeds in life and protection. Historically, it is known to bring peace and security between warring kingdoms. In recent times although Raksha Bandhan has gained commercial implication as enthusiasm amongst youngsters has gained momentum in festivity, the central theme of bonding is more important today than anytime in the past.
Ashtam in Goa will be celebrated on September 6, and a day before festival of Goddess of Crematorium (Masansati or Masandevi). Narali pournima is on August 30 and Nagpanchmi on August 21. Gokulashtami elsewhere is the grandest festival that marks the birth of Lord Krishna known for fun with Gopis and robbing curd and milk products that were produced in Gokul. The breaking of Dahi-Handi (pot) filled with curd is only symbolic of his fun-loving nature.
Ganpat says, “His teachings about Bhagwadgita are universal and the story about how Krishna lifted the Mount Govardhan to protect people from torrential rain suggests that whenever there is any calamity, the lord emerges in the form of Avtaar (reincarnation) for the wellbeing of people and restore moral values.”
Ashtam festivity is very special in Goa that is held at Narve on the bank of River Mandovi, where people offer prayers at the Kaloba or Kalbhairav shrine and they take a holy dip in the river, which is a sight to behold at this picturesque site. It is the only festival in Goa that is celebrated at a Hindu crematorium. There are beliefs that on the day of Ashtam, Bhutanchi Zatra, ghosts have their festivity as a result no humans stay at this site on that night.
On the occasion of Ashtami festival, a big fair is organised in Panjim that sell wooden craft, furniture, kitchen wares, casual costumes and many other items of decoration. People make a beeline to purchase wooden Paat (small flat decorated board for sitting during rituals) and wooden fruits and vegetables which are offered to newly married women by their parents as gifts during Ganesh Chaturthi.
While the major festivals take precedence for women folks, it is the time to celebrate nature’s bounties that bloom in foliage and flowers. While most days of the weekdays are earmarked for different rituals, Sunday has a special significance. “The Aitaar Pooja or Aditya Pooja is dedicated to Sun, which is not like other community festivals, but it’s a celebration with nature at home. Although it is performed by women, it can also be carried out by men,” informs, Vimal Yadnyeshwar Nigale from Porvorim, who recollects her younger days how this pooja was performed with the elements of nature either four or five Sundays that are celebrated, which depends on when Shravan begins.
In the past women were married at a relatively young age and they would perform the Aitaar pooja at their maternal home for two weeks and next two or three weeks it would be at her husband’s home. She adds, “It was a colourful decoration of leaves and flowers that are grown during monsoon season. Two cones made of leaves (Paanacho pudo) from different plants are placed in a copper dish. They are called Akoba and Cocoba, denoting Sun and Moon. They are decorated with at least 16 pairs of leaves called ‘Patri’ from different plants and flowers such as Chiddo (balsam) and varieties of other flowers.”
Vimal briefs, “Both the cones are placed over rice and offerings such as Supari (betelnut), Haldi (Turmeric), Kumkum (vermilion), and small Kalash (Copper pot) are placed in the dish. A bunch of 21 and 17 Durva or Hariyali (grass blades) are placed next to cones and a bunch of five Durvas offered to other married relatives and neighbours. On the first Sunday the Pudo is made of Khavchi Panaa (betel leaf), the next week, leaves of Turmeric are used, followed by Parjat or Parijat plant (Night jasmine) and the last is made up of white leaf like Sherwada (sepal of Mussaenda) that resembles the deities has grown old.”
For Adv Rekha Karbotkar formerly from Mayem, now married in Assagao, it was a lot of work to collect Patri grown around her house. Rekha recollects, “Hariyali, Tulsi, shervada, godyachi pavla, sitechi bota, undrache kaan, supa, gulama, vediphula, chidde, saran, mogrechi paana, abolyechi pana, dasnichi pana, and many more different types of flowers and leaves are collected. And, the same has to be worshiped by spreading on either banana or Alu leaf (Colacasia). Every Sunday, different types of naivaidya (offering) such as athval (Khichdi), mhutlya (Muthke), patolyo and on the last Sunday sweet polle (dosa) are made,” says Rekha.
After invoking blessings from deities, Uttar Pooja (removing divinity) is performed in the evening by carrying aarthi pooja and all the ritualistic items are placed in a Tulsi Vrindavan or where there are Alu plants. Aiatar pooja is performed in most households and people would perform Fugdi dance and sing folk songs.
Vimal mentions, “Every Tuesday, there is worshipping of Mangala Gauri Vrat by some women in honour of Goddess Parvati who undertook penance (Tapasya) for invoking Shiva’s blessing. A newly married woman performs Parvati’s pooja for five years for the well-being of the family.” Food is prepared as naivedya which is consumed only during day time. Vaiyn composed of grains, vegetables and fruits, and a piece of clothing are offered to the purohit (priest). Woman seeks blessing from parents and elders for a happy and prosperous married life. During the night, people used to organise music, song and dance programmes in the past.
Enjoy the festive month of Shravan in the age-old way by practicing abstinence for good health, thereby, protecting our nature, but never miss the seasonal delicacies that are part and parcel of all celebrations.