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Goans belonging to the Hindu community celebrated today 23rd November 2004 one of the festivals that has delighted Goans -----the "Tulsi Lagn" (marriage of a basil plant) Today at noon the Hindus prepared food which is strictly non vegetarian ---consisting of rice, moong , puri , sweet potato kheer , pumpkin cooked with pieces of sugarcane, amla and tamarind and some of this is offered to the "Tulsi Vrindavan". Then by dusk one could witness a "Lagn" read marriage ceremony) . The "bride" and "bridegroom" undergoing the rituals were the "tulsi" (basil plant) and the "sugarcane" The "tulsi vrindavan" (decorative pot in front of the house is coloured and decorated ) Sugarcane and branches of tamarind and "amla" trees are planted along with the "tulsi" plant. Thereafter after the ritualistic offering of "poha" or "fou" to Lord Vishnu "prassad" was distributed among family members and friends. The myth abounds that the Vrinda married King Julundhar a demon. Vrinda prayed to Lord Vishnu that her demon husband be protected, so that no harm came to him form other gods. However on the request of the other gods, Lord Vishnu adopted the form of King Julundhar and stayed with the unsuspecting Vrinda Following Julundhar's death, Vrinda learnt of this deception and went wil. She cursed Lord Vishnu and "turned him to stone (Shaligram) and collapsed". It is believed that from her body emerged the "tulsi plant". That is why "Tulsi vivah" ceremony is celebrated on the next day of Kartiki Akadashi. On this day "tulsi" is married to "Shaligram". While the ritual above links to the religious aspect. the social aspect cannot be left out in Goan Hindu homes it is traditional for the family to send an "OJEM" (load of sweets) to the daughter from her parental home along with "zodi" (cotton threads used to light lamp while performing aarti). These were predominant traditions during the days of joint families. Surprisingly this writer witnessed this function in a village in Mobor Cavelossim Salcete South Goa late this evening. With every Goan male and female at work and the day being not a public holiday such festivities take place late. Tommorrow will be the "Dindi" festival in Margao at Lord Vithal and Rukmini Temple in Comba. The streets are being lined up with traditional "kadio boddio" "Laddoos" and for games traditional "godgoddo". This writer has noted that in the past over twentyfive years there has been considerable economic upliftment notably amongst the "bahujan samaj". One sees girls and boys and families dressed up in bright clothes with rich designs meandering the streets paying obeisance to the deities at both temples "Hari Mandir" Pajifond and Comba The huge trunout also provides one an opportunity of a social meeting of a different kind ---"minds and hearts" This festival often referred as "Vodli Dipawali" ends with fireworks from midnight to the wee hours of dawn. >From Village Mobor - Cavelossim GODFREY J I GONSALVES Borda Margao Goa [EMAIL PROTECTED] ________________________________________________________________________ Yahoo! India Matrimony: Find your life partner online Go to: http://yahoo.shaadi.com/india-matrimony
