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Konkan, a
land of god, celebrates many traditional, religious, state and
national festivals. All festivals are celebrated with abundant
fervour and enthusiasm which reflects the culture, rituals &
tradition of malvani people. The traditional songs, music, dance &
plays add a joy with excitement to the lives of people. The love for
celebration is deeply embedded in our culture and it finds
expression through the various occasions. Some of the popular
festivals celebrated in Malvan
are as given below.
Hindu Festivals..
»
Gudhi
Padva..
»
Vat Pournima..
»
Shimgyachi Holi..
»
Narali Pournima..
»
Ganesh
Chaturthi.. » Diwali..
» Tulasi
Viv » Makar
Sankrant..
Anganewadi Fair
Muslim
Festivals..
»
Eid..
»
Muharram..
Christian
Festivals..
Anganewadi Fair
The date of annual fair at Anganewadi, in Masure known as parallel
Pandharpur of Konkan, is announced in February each year. The name
Anganewadi indicate predominance of people with surname Angane.
According to a legend a goddess materialized in village in the
form of a stone plaque, 400 years ago. Since then people have been
flocking to a village for 'Darshan', every year. There is no fixed
day or date for the fair. It is decided by consents.
Although Anganewadi is a part of Masure village, a dispute between
Devasthan committees of the two places led to the separation of Anganewadi from Masure. Yet that they are attached by faith in the
goddess.
The method of
arriving at concert for the day of fair is interesting. After
farming operation are over, the villagers get together to decide
out the hunting of wild animal to offer 'Prasad' to the goddess. The
male folks go out for hunting with a stipulation not to return
till the animal is trapped down. The animal’s flesh is then cooked
& distributed among the villagers who then decide on a suitable
day for fair. A decision is taken sitting on a mat (made by peel
of bamboo) commonly known as ‘Daali’ in Malvani lingo. The
villager’s decision is then known as ‘Daalap’.
On the day of the fair, the stone plaque is adorned by mask,
ornaments & apparels. The village barber then stands outside the
temple & after sunrise releases reflected sunrays over the sacred
plaque. Vaze family of Verli, then give the first offering (Otee)
to the goddess, which marks the beginning of the fair. In view of
enormous crowd attending the festivity, the rituals now begins at 4 a.m. & ends at 10 p.m. One female member from each family then
join in the mass cooking. A food thus prepared is offered as
‘Prasad’. This event is commonly known as ‘Taate Lawane (To serve
the dishes)’ in Malvani. This event also marks the end of first
day in fair.
On next day,
rituals restarted at 4 a.m. & continue till the afternoon. This
day is called ‘Mode Jatra (End of fair)’. Though the fair thus
officially lasts in one & half days, variety of entertainment
programs like music, dramas, as a folk were continue for the next
4 to 5 days. People from all corners of Maharashtra as well as
from off places in Karnataka flock the place for the duration of
fair.
Various theories are viewed to explain the origin of the fair. One
of them is that a cow belonging to one of the villagers used to
discharge milk in the green wood which turned in a plaque. When
the owner went out to look for the cow, he found the matter. On
same day he got a divine message in his dream. He started to
worship that stone of plaque. The word sprayed and people have
since been visiting the place annually. Since the plaque was found
in rocky soil (Bharad) the goddess come to be known as Bharadi.
Over the years, the crowds have swelled to the extent where the
queue found by devotees for 'Darshan' extends up to 2 Kms
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Gudhi Padva (March - April)
Maharashtrian New Year's Day is celebrated on the first day of the
Hindu month Chaitra ( March-April). This festival is known as the
'Gudhi Padava' in Maharashtra. This day marks the start of the Hindu
solar year. On the day of the festival people get up early and
clean their houses, decorating them with intricate rangoli
designs. Bamboo staffs (Gudhi) adorned with silk cloths and
garlanded by flowers topped with a brass goblet or kalash. Gudhi
– is a victory symbol. This day is considered as a Shubh Muhurat -
one of the most auspicious day - by Hindus. It is also said that
these staffs drive away evil from the houses.
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Vat Pournima
(March - April)
This occasion is specially for married women (typical Marathi
called Suvashini, Saubhagyavati). Women worship the banyan tree in
religious manner keeping whole day fast. They pray for long life
of their husband & distribute 'vaan'- Pieces of any five fruits put
on banyan leaf, to each married woman.
The legend behind the banyan tree; is
the story of Satyavan and Savitri. The story goes that
Satyavan and Savitri were married. It had been foretold that
Satyavan would die early. One day, Satyavan, after cutting the
morning firewood, felt tired and lay his head down on Savitri's
lap under a banyan tree. Savitri knew that the predicted end was
near and waited fearfully for one of the messengers of Yama, the
God of Death. When the messenger came, Savitri refused to give up
her husband and sent him packing. Messenger after messenger tried
to take Satyavan away, but in vain. Finally, Yama himself appeared
before her. Since she was still adamant, he offered her a boon.
She asked for the well being of her in-laws. He granted it to her.
She then followed him as he took Satyavan's body away. He offered
her another boon. She now asked for the well being of her parents.
This boon, too, was granted. But she was relentless, and continued
to follow him. As they approached Yama's abode, he offered her a
final boon. She asked for a son. He granted it. She then asked him
how it would be possible for her to beget sons without her
husband. Yama was trapped and had to return her husband.
On the strength of this legend, married women pray to the
banyan tree for the long life of their husbands and for children.
Their fast is observed right through the night till the next
morning.
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Shimgyachi Holi(March - April)
This is the interested traditional festival of konkan region.
Holika Dahan or the lighting of bonfire takes place on the eve of
Holi as a symbol of triumph of good over evil. The day is also
popularly called 'Chhoti Holi' or the 'Small Holi'. Play with the
colour takes place on the next day. But in konkan, very few people
used to play with colors. There are numerous legends associated
with this ancient tradition and it is difficult to pin-point as to
when actually the tradition started.
Holikotsav finds a mention in the Vedas and Puranas. It is stated that
during the Vedic period the sacred fire of Holi was burnt amidst
the chanting of specific mantras which were intended for the
destruction of the demonic forces.
According to Narad Purana, this day is celebrated in the memory of
Prahlad's victory and the defeat of his aunt 'Holika'. The legend
has it that there once existed a mighty demon king by the name of
Hiranyakashyap who wished that everybody in his kingdom should
worship him. His son, Prahlad became a follower of Lord Naarayana.
Hiranyakashyap instructed his sister, Holika to sit in the burning
fire with Prahlad in lap. She was blessed with a boon, as a result
of which no fire could burn her. But the opposite happened,
Prahlad survived and Holika was charred to death. Thus 'Holi' is
celebrated to commemorate the victory of virtue over evil. It is
because of this event, Holika (a bonfire) is burnt every year on
Holi. The burning of the effigy of Holika is called Holika Dahan.
There is also a specific way in which Holika Dahan
takes place. A log of wood is kept in a prominent public place. People go
on throwing twigs, dried coco leaves, branches of trees left through
the winter besides any other combustible material they can spare,
on to that log which gradually grows into a sizable heap. Then
a old man from the people prays in the form of 'Garhane' which is
most famous pray type of konkan. After every sentence the people
gathered around the 'Holi' support the' Garhane' by
loudly saying 'Hoy Maharaja', (Yes
Sir/Lord). At the end, Prasad (mixture of coconut pieces,
Sweets ) is distributed among the gathered people.
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Narali
Pournima
(Augast)
The full moon day of the month of Shravan(August) is
celebrated in different parts of Maharashtra Known as, the 'Narali
Purnima' ,coconut day is dedicated to the sea
god Varuna. This festival marks the end of the monsoons and is
celebrated by the fishermen of Malvan. The fishermen paint
their boats and coconuts are broken against them as offering to
the sea god. It is said that to calm the sea fishermen offers coconut to sea. Narali Pournima
also marks the advent of the new fishing season. Garlands made of
flowers are also offered to the boats to mark the beginning of a new fishing season.
The celebration
begin at about three o’clock at afternoon, where when the
prominent traders as well as common citizens gathered at the
Hanuman temple in Somwar Peth, for the worshiping the coconut. The
formal 'Puja' is performed by a prominent trader. The gathering
then formed itself in to a passion which wends at way towards the
jetty. Now comes the time to worship the sea. As per the
tradition, the first coconut is offered from the peolpe of the
sindhudurga fort. In the early days, a gold plated coconut was
offered. Over the years a coconut wrapped in golden colored paper
has taken its place. The ceremonial armed salute has been replaced
by fire crackers. After the fort ritual is over, people offer
their coconuts from Jetty. Thousands of people dressed in their
best & youngsters with their colorful apparel forms major
attraction of celebration.
Many hawkers sells ballons, toys &
chat items on jetty & people purchase these to their children.
The coconut breaking
contest form an interesting side light of celebration.
Malvani people crowd to see the
contest & enjoy the moment. The contestant who break the
maximum number of rival coconut become the proud winner of the
contest.
Many visitors also visit Malvan to enjoy this festival.
The celebration generally ends up with 'kabaddi'
match played between local teams.
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Ganesh Chaturthi (August -
September)
The most
important and popular festival of Malvan, Ganesh Chaturthi is
celebrated in the month of August - September. This festival marks
the birth anniversary of god Ganesha (the elephant-headed God of
Wisdom and Prosperity), the Hindu god of wisdom.
In the days of the British Raj, Lokmanya Tilak (a nationalist leader)
encouraged Ganesh Chaturthi and other like celebrations to induce
and reinforce feelings of nationalism amongst his countrymen. From
that day, every year Maharshtrian people celebrate this festival
with great enjoy.
Lord Ganesha is the son of Shiva (Destroyer in the Hindu Holy
Trinity of Creator-Preserver-Destroyer) and Parvati (Shiva’s
consort). He is worshipped during every festival and before people
undertake a journey or embark upon a new venture. You will also
see him carefully guarding entrances to temples and homes, peeping
out of calendars and happily gracing marriages and other such
occasions.
The preparations for this festival begin months ahead. Idols of Ganesha are installed and detailed arrangements are made for
lighting and decoration. The festival is held for 2-21 days.
Special prasad and food are prepared to mark the first day of the
puja. Aarti (a ritualistic puja with hymns) is performed twice a
day – in the morning and in the evening. Most people of the
community attend the evening aarti. They actually rush home from
work to take part in the festivities and gather around the
brightly-lit Ganesha. People offer prasad of modaks or pedhas (a
type of sweetmeat), coconut, hibiscus or any other red flower,
sheaves of grass, vermilion, turmeric powder and rice.
The festival comes to an end on the day of Anant Chaturthi.
On this day, the idols of Ganesha are taken from various
doorsteps, localities and puja rooms for a truly royal ride. The
streets of Malvan are packed with multitudes as each locality
comes out on the streets with its Ganesha. Amidst shouts of
‘Ganpati Bappa Moriya Pudhchya Varshi Lavkarya’ (Marathi for – Oh
Ganpati My Lord, return soon next year), a sea of humanity carries
the idols to the waters of the Arabian Sea. Firecrackers announce
the arrival of the procession that halts every now and then for
people to get a last glimpse of their favourite God and seek his
blessings, for he is the remover of all obstacles. The idols are
carried into the holy waters, and face the direction of the local
community centres they started their journey from, till their
visarjan, or immersion. In other towns and villages, folks carry
the idols to the local river or tank for the visarjan ceremony.
As dusk takes charge of the skies, people return to their
localities and homes, awaiting Ganesha’s return the following
year. Artists and sculptors start imagining how they will make an
even nicer Ganesha next year. Housewives fret about making better
modaks and pedas. In this country of almost a billion people, Ganesha plays his part. He generates work, adds meaning to their
life and gives them hope.
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Diwali (October
- November)
Dipawali also known as Diwali. Like Ganesh Chaturthi, is another
major festival celebration with gay abundance by people of Malvan.
The Five day festival fall between Ashwin Vadya Trayodashi &
Kartik Shudda Pratipada.The festival of lights
symbolizes the victory of good and driving away of spiritual
darkness. The highlights of the festival are little oil lamps or diyas decorating houses, crackers and fireworks which are the
integral parts of this festival. The Goddess of wealth and
prosperity, Lakshmi is worshiped on these days also marking the
beginning of the Hindu New Year.
Firecracker stalls have every conceivable cracker and ‘bomb’, from
rockets, sparklers to fire snakes, burning trains and what have
you, covered in shiny golden and silver paper, for children and
adults alike.
Shopkeepers offer mega Diwali
discounts to allure customers.
Every house – big or small – participates in this ritual. Even the
most modest shacks are transformed into bright households with a
few diyas. Every little village and town glitters on this night.
The sky is set ablaze with thousands of crackers bursting and
diffusing coloured lights high into the sky.Clothes
are bought for all members of the family.
The
first day is called Dhantrayodashi, when private residence as well
as public buildings are brilliantly illuminated symbolizing after
of lamps ( traditional earthen) to lord Yama to ruled over the
world. Ornaments
& other valuables are also worshiped in token of offer to goddess
Laxmi.
The second day is known as ‘Narak chaturdashi’. On this day
sweet meat prepared for the festival joyfully shared by members of
families as well as distributed among relatives & friends. This is
preceded by their taking bath in scented water followed by the use
of a fair sprinkling of perfumes. It is a customary on this day
for people to trample under feet a bitter fruit called ‘Karit’
with shouts of ‘Govinda Gopala’. This act is
supposed to symbolize the slaying of demon ‘Narakasur’ by Krishna.
The third day of Dipawali known as Laxmi Pujan, When homes are
decorated & illuminate has a preclude to puja & offering of Prasad
to goddess Laxmi & Sarswati. For merchants, this marks the
beginning of their financial year when new ledgers are replaced by
old ones.
The fourth day is
known as Bali pratipada. On this day trading zones in town &
cities are freshly illuminated giving them fairy-land look
for all to see & enjoy.
The day is also chalked out for shopping. Markets are piled up
with goodies and decorated to the hilt. Every year, there is an
array of new things on display.
Finally the big day arrives and the excitement
reaches fever pitch, especially for the children, as they can
hardly wait for the night to purchase new toys from market.
The highlights of the
day celebration in Malvan in a mammoth public procession carrying
the idols of the local deities Rameshwar & Narayan . The
procession which starts from the two temples wends its way to the
spot called Rrameshwar Mand in Somwarpeth. Here 'Palakhi' is
welcomed by prominent members of the public as well as trading
community. The procession has its origin in Shivaji times. The
only difference today is the event which used to last for five
days turn by lasts for only few hours.
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Makar Sankrant
(January)
Sankrant means the passing of the sun from one Zodiac sign (i.e.
Dhanu)to the other(i.e.Makar). -People exchange greeting and good
wishes on this day. Sweet and crunchy ladoos made of sesame and
jaggery called “TilGul”are the favourite sweets. In
typical marathi the saying goes "Tilgul ghya aani god bola"
i.e. take this tilgul & be sweet & kind to each other
This festival is specially for women. Women wore beautiful saries
& Jewelries, visit all neighbor families, also give invitation to
other known ladies for "Haldi-Kunku" ceremony. Thus ladies
enjoy the day offering sweets & chatting.
Makar Sankranti usually falls on 14th of January every year. This
festival is one of the many festivals which have been celebrated
since the vedic period. On this day the sun comes across the north
of equator. On this very day it is believed that 'the morning' of
the deities commences. This particular period, when the sun is
positioned across the north of equator has been considered as an
'accomplishment giving period' by the scholars. Even Astrology
endorses this fact and this period is supposed to be auspicious
for the various activities like construction of the houses,
performance of oblations, establishment of the deities etc. This
period is considered to be so auspicious, that if a person dies
during this period he is supposed to attain liberation..
Women of Maharashtra attired
in beautiful apparels visit the houses of their relatives and
friends, where they are welcomed. The hosts honour them by
applying 'Kumkum'.
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Christian Festivals
Christmas is the biggest Christian festival and one of
the national festivals of India. It celebrates the birth of Jesus
Christ on the 25th December every year.
It is called "Nataal" in Marathi.
The city and villages dress up for the yuletide spirit.
Shops get ready to do brisk business and offer mega discounts and
sales. People buy new clothes, gifts (exchanging gifts is an
age-old Christmas practice and people choose gifts for their loved
ones with great thought and affection), a variety of things to
cook, Christmas decorations, amongst other things.
Folks send Christmas greetings to their friends and families in
faraway places. People decorate their homes to the hilt with
Christmas trees (or the various substitutes available in the
markets), wreathes with bright red decorative baubles, festoons,
bells and other small trinkets.
Christian people hang beautiful star-shaped paper lamps of various
colours and sizes outside their homes.
Nearly a week before Christmas, the church, club and school choirs
start doing the rounds of their neighborhood and are greeted by
people with cakes and other eatables. Christmas carols are sung in
various local languages all over the country.
Churches hold a
special Midnight Mass, attended by most people of the community.
People especially look forward to this Mass, as this is not only a
sacred prayer ceremony but an important social event as well. Men
and women wear new clothes and come for the Mass looking and
smelling their absolute best. The Mass goes on for over a couple
of hours and people fondly remember the Savior who gave up his
life so that they may live.
After the mass, people head off home
on this hallowed night, and children gambol on their way back,
burning sparklers and bursting loads of crackers. Everyone sleeps
with a peaceful easy feeling, as the next morning brings with it,
the Big Day! On Christmas Day, people get ready for the biggest
feast. Relatives and friends visit and wish each other a ‘Happy
Christmas’ or a ‘Merry Christmas’ and eat the ‘haute cuisine’
especially prepared for the occasion. Many towns hold special
carnivals and circus shows on the 25th and the entire
community gets together to have a jolly good time. Young people
organize excursions, go out to watch films and shows and generally
live it up. Thus, all to soon, Christmas comes to an end but each
year, it leaves the people with more memories to cherish.
Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday
is celebrated by Christians. Easter is the oldest of all Christian
festivals. It is celebrated on the 3rd day of the Good Friday.
Good Friday is the day when Jesus Christ was Crucified and killed.
After being dead he Resurrected ( became alive ) on the 3rd
Day i.e is on Sunday. And this is the Easter Sunday (Easter
'Sunday' because it comes always on Sunday).
According to
Bible when Jesus was crucified and was found dead. Joseph took his
body down from the cross. Jesus' body was kept in a grave. Some
women found that it was put there without been anointed with any
of the customary spices or perfumes. These women along with other
women when brought it to the grave on the third day i.e. Sunday,
they found that the stone covering the entrance of the grave had
moved from its place, and the body of Jesus was not found in the
grave. Then came two angles who said ' Why you are searching body
of a man who has been raised and was alive ', they came and told
it to everyone that the son of Lord had risen from death.
After this
Jesus came to his people and talked to them. Some did not believe
him and were suspicious that it wasn't Jesus, then Jesus asked one
of his disciples to touch his wounds on his palms which he had
received while he was crucified. Then they believed that it was
Jesus who had risen from death. After this he rose into the heaven
to his father, the Lord. Special masses are held in Churches on
this day.
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Muslim Festivals
Id
Is celebrated with traditional fervor, amity and exchange of
gifts. A dish of seviyan is specially cooked and served on the
occasion.
Muharram
Tazias of wood, bamboo and tinsel are made artistically and move
down the streets of India in ceremonial processions.
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