The most unusual festivals in India, and the films of Hrishikesh Mukherjee | #74
Also, how men get hit on to get their dream girl ➡
Namaste
In a nation as diverse as ours, there are festivals all year round with Dussehra, Diwali and Christmas lined up one after the other. Every God gets their day, and with regional options too. No two states have identical celebrations and in this week's issue we talk about a few unusual traditions and rituals that are part of some festivals in India.
Things we learnt this week 🤓
Agni Khela (Fire Festival) - Not to be confused with Fyre Festival, this is a Mangalorean tradition involving devotees of the Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple throwing burning palm leaves at each other, to please the Goddess Durga. Clad only in orange lungis, two groups fling flaming branches at each other. The referees(!) wear white lungis and prevent the attacks from getting too personal and treat injuries with Kumkumarchane (holy water).
Picture Credit: Patrika Bagwal Festival (Stone Pelting Festival) - If you've grown up with siblings there’s a high chance you’re guilty of assault. But there might be a socially accepted outlet for your anger. During Raksha Bandhan, devotees of a temple in Deidhura, Uttrakhand, pelt stones at each other as part of a ritual named Bagwal. Four clans - Walik, Chamyal, Gaharwal, and Lamgaria- participate to offer blood sacrifice to please Barahi Devi, the local deity.
Lathmar Holi (Holy with Sticks) - In keeping with the legend of Lord Krishna being driven out of Barsana for teasing his beloved Radha and her friends, the men from Nandgaon visit the town of Barsana every year, only to be greeted by women swinging lathis at them. If captured, the men have to dress in female clothing and dance in public. The festival takes place in Radha Rani temple in Barsana, the only temple in the country that is dedicated to Radha.
Picture Credit: Ixigo Aadi Perukku (Aadi Monsoon Festival) - Celebrated to give thanks to the river Cauvery, this festival falls on the 18th day of Aadi, the 4th month of the Tamil Calender, which marks the beginning of monsoons. One of the rituals involves devotees having coconuts smashed onto their heads by the priests of the Mettu Mahadhanapuram temple. We’re aware of the health benefits of coconut, but this might be a little counterproductive, no?
Picture Credit: Flickr Dhinga Gavar (Festival of Deception) - Dhinga translates to ‘fun by deception’ and Gavar is the consort of Lord Shiva. Also known as Baintmaar Teej, the festival is a celebration of womanhood. It originated from the legend of Goddess Parvati disguising as a tribal woman to tease Lord Shiva who had come before her as a cobbler to tease her. Women disguise themselves as different characters, mostly Gods and Goddesses, patrol the streets of Jodhpur all night and protect the statue of Dhinga Gavar. People believe that any unmarried man struck by a woman in disguise soon gets married to the girl of his dreams.
Picture Credit: Native Planet
Only in India 🇮🇳
Nothing can get in the way of the person trying to score more than Sharma Ji’s son. Even with the mobile internet and SMS services temporarily restricted, students appearing for the REET (Rajasthan Eligibility Examination for Teachers) managed to outsource their cheating efforts to a gang running a cheating racket who were…drumroll…selling Bluetooth Chappals.
IWTK Recommendations 💌
One Part Woman by Perumal Murugan - The book talks about a religious festival in which childless women were permitted to sleep with men other than their husbands, in the hope of conceiving.
Our popular thread about the life and films of one of India’s finest directors - Hrishikesh Mukherjee
Contest Time 🏆
Last week we asked you ‘Which side did Gandhi’s head face in the old Indian currency notes?’ The right answer to last week’s question is Gandhi was facing left in the image on the old Indian currency notes. It's looking good for you Bhumit Soni who guessed ‘left’, right.
Keeping with the spirit of this week's newsletter we have a festive theme trivia test for you. Answer the five questions correctly and have a chance to win IWTK goodies.
Which festival begins on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar?
The festival that commemorates the birth of Buddha, Buddha Jayanti is also known as?
Which festival is celebrated during Amavasya in the month of Kartik?
Which festival is associated with the story of Yama (God of Death) and Yamuna?
Kambala is a traditional buffalo race held in the State of?
Reply to this email with your answers. Our interns are monitoring the mailbox even on the weekend 👩🏽💻
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