Gauri arrives!

 One of the most beautiful festivals we, Maharashtrians, have is the Gauri Aagman, the arrival of Gauri, the mother of Lord Ganesha and the consort of Lord Shiva. Every household celebrates it in its own unique way. In some families, like our, we pray to the "baithi" (without the stand and typical decking her up the standard human way), while in some families, it is the "khadi" or "ubhi" (with the stand, et al) Gauri.

Often called Gaurai, she is the Mother Principle incarnate. She comes to visit her maternal home for three days. I absolutely adore this concept because it means that the Lord is like a son, a brother. Cute anthropomorphism, though it also bodes a little unhappiness as the Lord would be bade farewell with his Mother!

Till she is with us, she is treated absolutely royally. On the first day, the "naivaidya" consists of the simple bhaji-bhakri. The other two days, there is an abundance of sweetmeats. Must have been truly difficult for Aai's generation. These days, an item or two might be made at home, while the rest is ordered online. 

Hence it is not back-breaking work for the lady of the family. In Aai's generation, for Gaurai's welcome, the real Aai of the family would have to over-strech herself. These ladies, they all managed everything, even when they were working women as well! What wonderful reserves of strength! Now that lots of sweetmeats et al  can be bought, the festivities are more enjoyable for every member of the family, right?

In a way, maintaining such traditions, with the necessary changes given the times today, keeps the family together as it is a kind of return to roots, very much needed in the consumerist paradigm within which the market tries to make most individuals KFC crazy creeps guzzling coke! Only when we think, feel, act locally, globally can we be much valued, right? Happy Arrival of the Mother of Mothers!

Pratima@ Newer frameworks of thinking, being, becoming with the help of science and technology make our lives better. A bow to meaningful traditions, rituals, myths help our memories be 'us'.