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| Rascche Fov/Rasatle Fov~Goan Cuisine |
So in the blogging Marathon today we are at Goa.
Some of you may have ideas about Goa ! Goa is beach, sun, Carnival
and drinks but as a resident I see Goa quite differently I am trying to share
that here. Maybe this article is to make myself understand the similarities in
all our customs where the moral of the story is victory of good over bad!
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| A Mermaid a Landmark in Panaji, Goa |
There is plenty said on Goa, its cuisine but do you know how Diwali is
celebrated in Goa? The similarities and differences with
the customs in Maharashtra and in Karnataka.
Diwali is celebrated on 5 different days some have the celebration from
the Dhanteras but in Maharashtra it starts with Vasubars, a day before, on this
day the cow and calf are worshiped.
The next day, is Dhanteras where we purchase gold etc. in Karnataka it
is also called as “Neer Tumbo Habba” the festival of filling water. It
used to be quite a sight all the big utensils in which water was stored used to
be washed and before refilling slaked lime and vermilion used to decorate
them. They looked so beautiful!!
I still remember when I was small my Mama, Madhu mama was posted in a
small town called Harihar. Water was heated for bathing in a huge wood fired
pot. This pot was enclosed in a structure that was built with bricks and
cement. Only the opening of the pot was visible and water was poured in/out
through this opening. Wow the water used to be super hot….. Anyway I
remember Mami emptying the pot to wash it. How she washed it I d not know must
have scrubbed it with the coconut scrubber and ash. The typical cleaners then,
economical and ecofriendly!!
There is the sky lamp or the akash kandil is hung and the rows of lights
are lit in the evening.
Day 2 is Narakchaturdashi!! This is the night when the demon
Narkasur was slayed by Krishna and he returned in the wee hours of dawn.
To help him to find his way Rukmini his divine consort lit lamps. On
Krishna‘s safe return she was so happy that she performed “aarti”!
The tradition is followed even today in Karnataka. As kids we used to
wake up early at around 5 am, lit a few lights and “aarti” was performed. This
was followed by abhangya sanan or bath, new clothes donned and eating of the
sweets that Amma had made. In between we managed to distribute the trays of
sweets to neighbours.
In Goa however there are effigies made and then they are burnt in the
wee hours of the mornings. Then in the morning there is an abhangay sanan,
aarti and eats made form fov or beaten rice. (More about fov later let’s
finish Diwali and its many festivities first) Evening is meant for Laxmipuja
in case there is murath and visiting friends and relatives. Feasting and
enjoying.
Day 3 its Padwa it commemorates the defeat of the King Bali at the hands
of Lord Vishnu in the form of Vaman. This is the day when Bali returns to
earth for one day.
Then its day 4 where the brothers and sisters come together to
celebrate. Bhau beej or Bhiaya Dooj. On this day the brother visits the
sister and the sister puts tilak on him, performs aarti, feed his different
delicacies. The brother on his part promises to take care of her safety and well-being.
Actually in Karnataka we have another day which is called "Akkain
Tadgi" the sister gifts the brothers. ( Even then it was not a oneway
traffic)! But now this is rarely celebrated.
This may the end of Diwali for this is the last day of
festivities. The Aakash Kandil and the lamps are put away.
The leftover sweets and savouries are finished. Then the wait
starts for the next Diwali!
Not so in Goa we continue till " Tulsi Vivvah" its called
"Vali Diwali" Vali meaning Big!
So what do you do on Diwali day? What are the rituals that are
followed in your part of the world? Do you have some traditions that are
a must do?
But wait I have said that in Goa we have fov. Fov is Pohe or
beaten rice. We have different kinds of fov made. This is our spread!
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| Diwali che Fov /Diwali Spread |
