With all dietary restrictions removed now.
Yesterday was the last of the special holy Thursdays of Manabasa Gurubara festival, which all women celebrate to seek the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of fortune, wealth, beauty, prosperity, fertility and abundance. At home, she is the one who decides, what we can eat, following our rich rituals and restrictions start to apply from the month of October, when the Kartik Month starts. All kind of dietary restrictions are enforced at home to cultivate devotion and self-discipline, which includes even onions and garlic. And these restrictions continue to apply till the last holy Thursday of Manabasa Gurubara, which was yesterday. She would do all house work herself in the previous evening, thoroughly cleaning the home and then putting the jhoti chita designs at each door and then in front of the Goddess at home. Our daughter is also encouraged to learn and she does practice few of them, as she has to carry over these traditional rituals.
This one is at the main door, you can watch the leg of the Goddess at front of this Jhoti chita, as it's believed, she comes through the doors. It's like symbolizing her entry to the house.
The rear door entrance where our daughter did the design, she tried to do the legs here as well, the Goddess can come through any door to bless us - these strong beliefs and rituals cultivates devotion and truthfulness - we always teach our kids to be truthful and not cheat anyone even in their ignorance.
And then she gets up very early in the morning, to perform the pooja, for which, I have to bring flowers, a mango branch consisting seven leaves, duba ghasa (Bermuda grass) all fresh. My garden comes in my rescue in these times, as getting fresh flower in Winter is difficult. Usually people collect all of these previous day, so that they can do the pooja before sun rise. But given our responsibilities, we have decided to get up very early and collect these fresh. In older days, kids were not allowed to go to school, and forced to stay at home, but in recent times, we don't enforce such restrictions - rituals are good, but no blind beliefs.
It's so interesting to see a branch of Mango used in our pooja, I was thinking, may be our ancestors thought it to be a good idea because, the branches would grow fresh and bushy as flowers would start coming in Mango trees after Winter. All our rituals must have been created from observations for betterment - during this time, diseases spread to fish/chicken and creating rituals to not eat them was probably a good idea to not enforce but prohibit in a peaceful way, for betterment of our health.
So from today, we have freedom to bring non-veg to home and eat as we want. She follows all rituals, and eats only fish and mutton (very rarely), that too only on wednesdays, but the enforcement on us is over - she loves to cook and feed us, even though she does not eat egg or chicken.
Women are treated as Lakshmi of our Home, so all rules made by her at home are strictly followed. Unfortunately, with core family concepts in place, many people do not obey all these rituals, but in big joint families, where people live with elders, you can't dishonor her or disobey any rule - you will be shown the door, with all support going in her favor.
copyrights @sanjeevm - content created uniquely with passion for #HIVE platform — NOT posted anywhere else! #HIVE is my only social diary - my blog is my life.
This is one of the best blogs. Jhoti Chita is a USP in Odia Households. The woman who performed this "Manabasa Gurubar" is considered as Laxmi and we have been strongly instructed not to argue or offend her at least on that particular day. I find it fascinating since childhood. But I really love this day because of the delicious food and winter season.
When culture summits with the faculty of reason it becomes easy to drop superstitions/blind beliefs., and a healthy evolution for the future generations takes place.
Thank you.
Jai Jagannath
🙏🙏🙏
Yes, we have the responsibility to teach them the importance of our culture and how it makes life more meaningful.
Exactly, scientific temper is needed, even when it comes to culture and while rendering its celebration.
What a beautiful festival! It's the first time I read about something like this. I really wish we would have something similar in my country :)
Also, I am not sure if you knew about Festival Mania Community but I would have been so happy to discover it within! Trying to see more and more awesomeness shared in there from around the globe :)
Thank you so much, happy to discover Festival Mania Community.
Thanks for checking it out :)
It's interesting to learn the traditions of other cultures. And the more I learn about your traditions the more I realize how elaborate it is. I'm curious how you keep records of the rituals and how it's being passed down to younger generations.
In your post, you have shown us a tradition that brings together devotion & family values. A ritual that shows a strong sense of togetherness, it's amazing!
Togetherness brings more happiness, unfortunately, core family concepts are moving away from these, ending up with depressions. Earlier, people did not have money, but they were happier.
Very beautiful rangoli. Women in Maharashtra also observe this Thursday fast. This is a good ritual. Women observe it with true intentions for the happiness and prosperity of their family. Thanks for sharing.🙏
It's nice that you still practice this tradition sir in your home and I hope your daughter still continue the tradition. 😊
I like the meaning of the celebration, giving the woman/wife the power to rule inside the house.😊
Women are more capable than men, and it's because of them the house runs well.
How nice to know that there's still someone thinking about it, how important the wife in the house. 😊
Life without a happy wife is meaningless.
Oh.. how lucky is your wife that she have you too.😊
I let my husband read your comment too, to remind him.😁
I noticed that Indians are heavy on their culture
That’s great
I love Indian tradition a lot
Everything is usually meaningful and reasonable
I think events like this are very good to maintain, of course your children can continue for the future.
Festivals should be respected and traditions should be honored. I love people who never forgets their roots to follow the westerns.
Cheers
Your festivals are often beautiful and I love too, this one dedicated to goddess lakshmi.
Oh yes, 100% agree. They are meant to make our living better.
This is the first time I have heard of this ritual and I am glad I learned it.
See should start eating chicken and eggs. Our body needs such rich sources of protein.
There are other sources as well.
Good morning dear friend @sanjeevm
I am a fan of your people's traditions
I appreciate you sharing this with us
Have a great day
Thank you so much.
You have an interesting tradition. And living with it till not is also just amazing. Though the dietary part could be hard, but seems like everyone is uses to it now.
But its good for our health, so everyone accepts.
hmmm honestly i would not be so restrictive with religion things, but personal view
Well, many people do not follow as well. It's a choice and not a restriction. If one believes that this will help them, then they can follow.
Enjoy your time 😍
@tipu curate
Upvoted 👌 (Mana: 43/53) Liquid rewards.
beautiful
Thank you.
Traditions are always so special. Getting together at festivities is so warming !
what are those food restrictions? here for easter there should be no mean fridays for few weeks but no one respects that anymore
During these last two holy months, restrictions apply on eating non-veg items, garlic,onions even, inspiring us to maintain spiritual purity and cultivate devotion. Eating simple food, promotes inner peace and devotion.
Wow!
This is nice.
It's really been long I read other people's culture as to their religional beliefs.
It's good that after the period, you guys have to eat non veggies.
Ya, celebration time begins :)
#hive #posh
Everyone admires and cherishes his tradition. You really cherish yours.
Freedom is always sweet. It is the best freedom to eat what you desire. Enjoy it 😊
But sometimes we need to be cautious and these traditions helps.
Só good
!PIZZA
$PIZZA slices delivered:
@danzocal(7/10) tipped @sanjeevm
Freedom indeed !BBH
@sanjeevm! @day1001 likes your content! so I just sent 1 BBH to your account on behalf of @day1001. (10/20)
(html comment removed:
)
Your culture is excellent, my friend. I won't get tired of saying it. It's incredible how the woman is the one who decides during all that time what she is going to eat, and for the whole family, I also imagine that it must be difficult for all of you to complete that diet and help so that your Wife get all the blessings for this new year 2025
This is such an interesting read and quite fascinating to see religious practices that stand the test of time. I'm a strong believer of when in Rome, behave like the Romans. Thus, I find it quite rude that one would go against what is obtainable in where they have found themselves in. I also would support the Lakshmi in such cases of disobedience even when I don't subscribe to the shared beliefs.
As someone who fasts every now and then, I can imagine the fulfillment and satisfaction you feel getting back on your routine diet after a successful fasting period. Congratulations on your freedom 🤗