| Shradh
days
The fifteen lunar days of the dark half of the moon in Assu are the Shradh
days when the dead are propitiated. People observe this rite out of moral
obligation and gratitude to the manes. Brahmins are fed on the particular
ancestor died. During these days nothing auspicious is celebrated.
The
Shradhs are followed by the Nauratas (Navaratras), which regarded
auspicious for celebration on the first of the mix days barley is sown
in the house. This is called Khetri, or goddess Gorjas farm. This little
farm is watered and nurtured regularly till the eighth or ninth day. On
that day goddess Gorja, in the form of seedlings, is covered with a piece
of red cloth and worshipped and propitiated. Hindu women observe a fast
during the Nauratas, though esculent roots like potates, and cakes made
from the water-chestnut (sandhara) flour are allowed despite the fast.
On the Dussehra day women cut the young shoots of Khetri and tick
them in the headwears of their male relatives, and invariably get gifts
in return. The festival of goddess Sanjhi is also celebrated during the
Nauratas. On the first day an image of the goddess is made from mixing
mud and cow dung and is then placed along a wall on a door. Every evening
during the Nauratas the image is worshipped, incantations are muttered
and an offering of a mixture of rice and sugar (tilcholi) is distributed.
On the day of Dussehra this image is immersed in water.
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