Today is the end of the 9 day doll festival. It is Saraswathi Poojai, Shri Saraswathi is the Goddess of learning, who is divine knowledge personified. The sound of Her celestial veena awakens the notes of the sublime utterances of the sacred monosyllable, "OM". She bestows the knowledge of the supreme, mystic sound, clarity of thought and nobility of ideas as represented by Her pure dazzling white clothes, with the hands holding the veena and books seated on the white lotus. We worship Goddess Saraswathi to gain knowledge, dispassion, devotion and prosperity.
Mother Nature had already cleaned the city yesterday, but she gave another refreshing wash this morning. My sister went around the house putting sandal paste and kumkum (red color) on each of the appliance and tools at home. IT'S ONE of those rare days when you won't yell at your PC when it hangs, or kick your bike in frustration when it dies in the rain. On Ayudha Puja, buses come driving down the road like a newly-wed bride, with six- to eight-foot stalks of plantain roped to their fronts, endless strings of flowers, haldi (tumeric), kumkum (red color), and all. Kids come on their bicycles with small banana leaves symmetrically arranged about their handlebars. Storefronts compete for the best displays and the most expensive sweets are distributed, not to forget generous helpings of kadle puri (peanuts and puffed rice mixed with jaggery). Born from the practice of honouring weapons during the Pandava rule, Ayudha Puja has now morphed into the worship of tools. The tradition still continues……
No comments:
Post a Comment