| Parbhi Diwali |
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| Pathare Prabhus have been famous for celebrating their
festivals with pomp and gaiety. One of the most important festivals of the
Pathare Prabhu Community is Diwali. The diwali of the Pathare Prabhus does not
merely last for four days but begins eight days before Diwali on Aathvinda... |
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| Aathvinda |
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| It falls on Kaalaa
Ashtami i.e. the eighth day of the Krishna paksha of the Ashwin month of the
Hindu calendar. It begins eight days before actual diwali (Narak Chaturdashi).
From this day onwards we start drawing Rangolis. Each day in Diwali has a
specific Rangoli associated with it (list given below). On this day 'Aasnya' is
drawn. We start preparing the Diwali 'sukadi' ( sweets and
other snacks). On this day we start by preparing the Guroli (sweet puri). |
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| Vasubaaras |
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| Vasubaaras falls on the fifth
day after Aathvinda. Many ladies observe a fast on this day and consume only
hand processed food. On this day 'Paach Devlya' is drawn. |
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| Dhanteras |
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| Dhanteras falls on the day after
Vasubaaras (depending on the Hindu Calendar). On this day 'Naangrya' is drawn.
In the evening, we perform dhana (Coins of all types) puja. The prasada
(offering) for the puja is dhana-gul (coriander and jaggery). A diva made from
rice flour called 'Yumdiva' is lit and kept over the Naangrya. Lanterns (Akash
Kandil) are hung outside the houses. |
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| Narak
Chaturdashi ( Kaali Chaudas) |
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| This is the first day of Diwali.
On this day people get up at dawn. Then 'Abhyanga Snaan' (Holy Bath) is
performed. This bath is called 'Pahili Aanghol' (First bath). The Abhyanga Snaan
is performed in the following manner. Firstly the members of the family sit down
on a 'paat' (flat stool) which is placed on a simple rangoli. Utna (scented
herbal powder) is applied to the body of the person and coconut milk is applied on the
person's hair. When the person is bathing outside the house fire-crackers are
burst.
During the bath a 'Daatwan' is chewed and thrown. A 'Chiroti' is then crushed
with the thumb of the left leg. New cloths are worn. Pathare Prabhu men were a 'Sadra
and Lengaa'. The eldest lady in the family performs an aarti of all the members
of the family. Before entering the house after the 'aarti' the legs are warmed
over a small lamp made from rice flour known as 'Kodi'. It is believed that
"warming the legs over the kodi is a symbol cleansing yourself after coming
from the Naraksura's (demon) funeral". On this day the 'Ravoli' rangoli is
drawn in the morning and a rangoli of an 'Aarti' is drawn in the evening. |
| Note: since the funeral rites are performed
outside the house, the bath is taken outside the house. |
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| Amavasya |
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| This is the ninth day after
Aathvinda. Except for 'Shri Satyanarayan Puja' no other auspicious activity is
performed on this day. Yet like the previous day an 'Abhyanga Snaan' and all
other activities are performed but a bit later. The rangoli of the day is
'Dhut Paat'. The business community performs celebrates this day by performing 'Lakshmi
Pujan' or 'Vahi Pujan' (Puja of account books). At a pre determined time (muhurta)
a puja of the account books for next financial year which will commence on the
following day. |
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| The point of view of the
Pathare Prabhu community is different from the businessmen point of view in that
they consider this day to be a day of mirth and enjoyment during diwali. On this
day 'Dhandive' are lit. The stem of a cactus (Nivdunga) is cut into sixteen
small pieces and are scooped till a small amount of oil can be filled into them.
These are also known as Jaavai. These Dhandive are arranged on a silver paat (baajwat)
and are lit at twilight. A puja with coconut, banana, betel leaf ,betel nut and
sweet ladoo is performed. After the puja this baajwat is kept on a simple rangoli
in the front porch. After this fireworks are burst. Once the baajwat has been
kept on the front porch, a servant from each house picks up one or two dhandive
and keeps them in front porch of their neighbours house. If caught by the
servant of the neighbours home, water is thrown on the servant carrying the
dhandive. This servant tries not to get wet. After this activity subsides a long
string of firecrackers ('coat') is arranged. This includes various types of
firecrackers and scents. At one end a heap of firecrackers is placed and then a
fort made of paper is kept on it. Hence the name 'Coat'. The Coat is lit from
the other end. In this way this night is celebrated. |
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| Balipratipada (Kartik Pratipada) |
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| This day is also known as
Padwaa. This day marks the new year for the business world. This is one of the
three and half muhurta of the Hindu calendar. On this day people get up before
dawn (approx 3a.m.). The entire house is swept and waste is collected in a
basket which is to be thrown. Coins are kept in the basket and it is placed in
the front porch on a simple rangoli. A servant takes this basket around the
house. At that time a second servant hammering a 'supade' the chants the
following saying, |
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Ida Pida Javo |
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Baliche Rajya Yevo |
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| Hammering the supade is a symbol of
removing the poverty from the house. This basket is placed on a crossroad near
the house and the coins are taken by the servant. Throughout this process
the servant is not supposed to look back. Once the servant returns and takes a
bath Abhyanga Snaan is performed by the family members. During this period
Muslim hawkers sell salt shouting 'Diwalinaa Sagan' which is brought by the
family members to be mixed in the house hold salt. On this day too feet are
warmed over the Kodi and an aarti of the family members is performed. |
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| On this people wear new clothes. Then the
preparation of the Bali puja
is done. A simple rangoli of an aarti is drawn and a silver baajwat is placed on
it. Sixteen lamps are placed on the baajwat. A idol of Bali raja is placed in the
center of the baajwat. The idol of Bali raja faces either the rising sun or the
front porch of the house. Coconut, Betel nut, Betel leaf, banana and sweet ladoo
is placed in front of the baajwat. Puja of the Bali raja is performed. Fire
crackers are burst and a 'Deepmala' is lit. After sunrise the baajwat is lifted
and placed in the place of regular worship. In the morning and evening, an aarti
of all the gentlemen is performed. |
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| The menu for the day is Keshri Bhaat and also
includes 'Chutniche Sarange'. People pay a goodwill visit to their friends
and relatives. |
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| BhauBeej |
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| On this day sisters perform an aarti of their
brother and get a gift in return. While performing aarti the sister also gives
the brother sweets. If the brother is married then an aarti of the
sister-in-law is also performed. |
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| Tulsiche Lagna |
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| On the day after Kartiki Maha-ekadashi
Tulsiche lagna (marriage) is performed. A pot containing the tulsi plant is
decorated. An idol of Shri Krishna is taken as the groom and the marriage is
performed. This marriage can be performed on any day up till Tripuri Purnima.
These days are also known as 'Dev Diwali' (diwali of the Gods). |
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|
Sau Meghana P. Rane, Mr. Tejas P. Rane
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& Mr. Amit P. Kotharé |
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