Boarnahan 2015

As promised, here I am with my detailed post on Boarnahan. 

Boar, Sugarcane, and other goodies set for the ritual. Aarti plate is also set.

What is Boarnahan:
Lets start with understanding the word Boarnahan. Splitting the word gets us Boar + nahan = Showering with boar (winter fruit). Also called Ber, Jujub, Indian plum etc.. Little children [below age 5] are showered with Boar, sugar cane, churmura, phutana, sugar candies and other goodies. Picture above. In some parts Boarnahan is also called loot.

When is this ritual performed?
This ritual is performed on or after Makar sankranti and before Rathasaptami.

Where is this ritual practiced?
This ritual is widely practiced in Maharashtra, North Karnataka and some parts of Andhra and Tamil Nadu. Some perform this ritual once while some observe it for five years. I preferred to do it for five years. This was his last boarnahan. 

Details:
Little children are dressed and adorned with 'Halvya che daghine' [Marathi for ornaments made of sugar candies]. These ornaments include a neck piece, crown, armlets, bracelets and a murli. Picture below. Boys are usually dressed as Krishna. The eldest lady of the family performs the Aarti and tika. And then all the elders shower the child with goodies. 

Ceremonial ornaments also called Halvya che daghine

My mom performing the Aarti to our little krishna

These goodies are then collected/looted by the other children who are specially invited to loot. This is the messiest part. hence what I do is pack the smaller goodies viz churmura, mamra, til gud etc.. in small plastic packs and the other things like chocolates, biscuits, other savouries, pencils rubbers etc are left open since they do not mess as much. I also provide each child with a loot bag and get them to write their initials on them so that their bags do not mix up. After the loot, the kids are served refreshments.

This time my boy was mighty upset that he got looted and said, "arre saab le liya kuch bhi nahi rakhha mere liye". I was so amused.

We all showering him with goodies

.....and the kids loot our little Krishna.

Why is this ritual performed?
There are a lot of stories or benefits listed. 

• Some say by performing this ritual the parents pay gratitude to the god for bestowing them with a child and promise to take care of the child forever.
• Some say showering the child with boar and other goodies bring in good luck to the child and ensures no evil eye can be cast on the child.
• Some say showering the child with goodies involves blessing the child.

My personal explanation is this ritual is performed so that parents share their bundle of joy with others in the society. It also helps the child make friends. Its pure socializing. 

My boy and the kids had a blast or what.........

This was our last boarnahan the end of another phase. Singing out with mixed feelings.

Do drop in a line I would love to hear from you.

Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Lohri, Bihu, Bhogi and others....

The first festival of the year 2015 is here and different people celebrate it differently and call it different names. Essentially its the harvest festival. On 13th the North Indians celebrated Lohri, on 14th Andra celebrated Bhogi and Gujarat celebrated Uttarayan, East celebrated Bihu and on 15 Makar Sankranti and Pongal. There may be others I am unaware of. 

In all these festivals few ingredients are common like the laya, til, gud, sugar cane, coconuts, peanuts, and boar etc... Few variations occur region to region e.g. In Gujarat people feast on Undhiyon [winter special vegetables], in north they feast on Makkai roti and sarson ka saag, in south it is the Pongal. Festivals are all about food, decorations and dressing up well isn;t it? Of course there are other things like flying the kite, haldi kumkum and the boarnahan. 

Like many Indians I am not exactly aware of the whyz of every ritual, but I follow some because it brings in sheer happiness. While there are many sankranti through the year I have no idea why just this one is celebrated on a large scale? Any of your beautiful peoples want to share any additional information for the knowledge of people reading this article are welcome to do so.

So whatever it is you are celebrating just remember to be Happy!! That's the core message ENJOY!!

Festival special rangoli and decoration

More on Boarnahan a little later. In the meanwhile do drop a line, I'd love to hear from you.

2015 it is!!!

Hello beautiful people.............. 

Trust you had a blast welcoming the new year! I wish you a year filled with happiness, prosperity and creativity. May you dream big and realise all your dreams this year.