SUBHA MAHALAYA :-)

Content credit : Sai Priya     30th Sept 2016   +Yummyies  exclusive

The Moment the lissome long "Kasatandi" flower began to sway in the breeze, we soon realize the Sharadostava is approaching at the door. And the countdown starts from the day of MAHALAYA, when one starts preparing for the five days grand celebration with family and friends.

The last day of Mahalaya Paksha, the new moon day, is considered as the most important day in the year for performing obsequies and rites. On this day, it is believed that ancestors leave their abode and come down to the world of mortals and occupy the houses of their descendants. Mythology says due to a boon from Lord Yama, if one offers prayers to ancestors on this day it reaches the departed souls immediately and directly which in return brings a lot of blessing for a healthy and wealthy life. Charity in the form of food is important during this observance. There is a story from the Mahabharat which explain the significance of food offering.

KARNA, the renowned hero when left the mortal coil he had done all kind of charity in terms of gold and silver, there was no food. He prayed to the god of death. So, he was sent back to earth for fourteen days, to make up for this. He fed Brahmins and the poor, offered them oblations of water for fourteen Days. On his return to the Swarg-lok, he had food in plenty. It is these fourteen days that are commemorated in the Mahalaya Paksha. Mahalaya Amavasya is a special day dedicated to making an offering to express our gratitude to all the previous generations of people who have brought us & contributed to our life.

From this day Navaratra celebration starts in many parts of India with great enthusiasm and spirituality. While North-Indian People observe fasting during Nine days, people in Odisha, west Bengal mostly celebrate from the 6th days of Puja (Sasthi).

While we are talking about this grand Indian Festival, how can we miss talking about the important part of any celebration, FOOD ?

People who observe Navaratri fasting they restrict their diet making a noticeable change into their usual diet. Wheat is replaced with gluten free buckwheat, amarnath flour which meet the nutritional requirement of our body and at the same time are light on our digestion. Even unprocessed rock salt - sendha namak is used over the regular iodized table salt.

While the city of Kolkata where the concept of Sarbajanin Puja gave birth don't restrict their food in any way. In fact you will find small food stalls near Punja Pandals where a big queue of happy faces just soaking in the party spirit.  Mughlai Paratha, Macher-chop, mutton cutlet and the popular Kolkata kathi roll can be surely found during pandal hopping in the city. And how can one miss the spongy Rosogolla at the end. 

In Odisha as the beats of ‘Dhak’ resound in various parts, the festival can be witnessed primarily across Cuttack, Balasore and Bhubaneswar throughout the five days starting from Sasthi. The theme of the generic puja pandals and the lights displayed on the streets make these places truly alive. It really seems like there is a divine presence for the five days and Maa Durga has arrived on the earth to bless us with prosperity and wealth.

Let's pray for peace of all on this auspicious day of Mahalaya...

Ya devi sarvabhuteshu shanti - rupena samsthita

Namas tasyai, namas tasyai, namas tasyai namo namah