I have a few questions here people!
First how I arrived at them. Today while the rakhi tying ceremony, I remembered a lot of things Aai used to tell me as a kid. Don't slouch, bend neatly, rotate the supari (areca nut says wiki..how fancy) and gold ring properly, etc etc. She calls doing things half heartedly बिगार भरणा (bigaar bharna - means doing a mediocre job). So as I was following her instructions in my mind, I suddenly thought out aloud and asked everyone around 'Why do we use the supari and gold ring for the pooja ?'
My aunt went into the ummmm mode and said the gold signifies wishing a prosperous future (golden and all).
I was not entirely convinced. So I passed on the dilemma to Aai who said basically the thali consists of things which every sister can afford - poor or rich. So supari here symbolizes the lord Ganesha who is prayed to before beginning any task/endeavor. Also that's why supari is commonly used as a Ganpati replacement in lots of poojas.
But then I said, how can everyone afford gold (To think of it not everyone can really afford gold). So after my contradictory response, Aai also went in the ummm mode :D
So the burden of not having my questions answered is passed on to anyone who reads this blog.
Kindly elucidate me the significance of these things or at least the stories behind them!!
Also if you guys use other things in the thali then would like to know :) For my own knowledge!
Oh and happy Raksha Bandhan to everyone :)
~nightflier
P.S. I have always secretly believed we need the best Raksha from the devils within :D
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| The pooja thali for reference image - google |
My aunt went into the ummmm mode and said the gold signifies wishing a prosperous future (golden and all).
I was not entirely convinced. So I passed on the dilemma to Aai who said basically the thali consists of things which every sister can afford - poor or rich. So supari here symbolizes the lord Ganesha who is prayed to before beginning any task/endeavor. Also that's why supari is commonly used as a Ganpati replacement in lots of poojas.
But then I said, how can everyone afford gold (To think of it not everyone can really afford gold). So after my contradictory response, Aai also went in the ummm mode :D
So the burden of not having my questions answered is passed on to anyone who reads this blog.
Kindly elucidate me the significance of these things or at least the stories behind them!!
Also if you guys use other things in the thali then would like to know :) For my own knowledge!
Oh and happy Raksha Bandhan to everyone :)
~nightflier
P.S. I have always secretly believed we need the best Raksha from the devils within :D
If Amma was there I would have asked for you ... She would have definitely known the answer.
ReplyDelete♡ from © tanvii.com
Why we have Gold used in Puja in India? Well, if you can find this answer, we would solve perhaps one of the biggest problems of our country (black money, random traditions etc)
ReplyDeleteTanvii: :) definitely..I guess I should ask my aaji too..
ReplyDeleteanon: ty!! Yes its already on my reading list..will be reading it once I finish the pending books..
Calvin: :) I was curious in general..now that you give this angle to the story, I am even more curios..
Rakhi is not a big festival at home I mean at least in our kashmiri home. I tie my cousins the rakhi and happily give them almonds or chocolate whichever is easy access ;) just to make for a tasteful festival :)
ReplyDeleteThought I would comment and say neat theme, did you make it for yourself? It's really awesome!
ReplyDeleteI am the wrong person to answer this :P
ReplyDeleteRakhi for me meant another friendship day..with all of us cousins tying friendship bands to each other. My argument used to be.. Just because I am a 'sister' does not mean I need any special 'raksha' from my brother.. Raksha has to be both sided..sis protects the bro and vice versa..With this thought I never tied by bros rakhi.. just because I felt I was strong enough to provide myself raksha (rather I will make myself strong enough) .. Now that I think about it, I was a weird kid.. I should have atleast thought about the chocolates and mithai I would have got by tying rakhi..damn!!!
Upasna: Totally buy that :)
ReplyDeleteAnon: ty!!
Neha: :P I had a little why me and why not him period too!! But then the gifts normally mellowed me down..so its more for the gifts at my end ;) Also never harms to be thankful enough to have a solid pillar by your side..so now have graciously accepted Rakhi as well :)
Thanks anon! that was helpful.
ReplyDelete