Author: Susmita ShekharPublisher: SrishtiYear: 2008Language: EnglishPages: 199ISBN/UPC (if available): 8188575828
Description
During the great pujahs which consume so much of our means, women are left in the background. Their special province is these ceremonies, Vratas, as they are called. Each has a Katha or tale tacked on to it, which is piously recited by the most elderly of the assembled female worshippers. Each story is illustrative of the might and glory of the particular God or Goddess that is being honored and in itself forms a highly interesting part of the ceremony. Most of the tales may seem to unbelievers to be as wild and childish as nursery legends, yet they are delightful. They please less by the variation of ‘moving accidents’ than by the homeliness of their construction. They are extremely interesting also for the light they throw on the recesses of the Indian woman’s heart.
Contents
ForewordThe Manasa or Naga-Panchami CeremonyThe Savitri CeremonyThe Itu CeremonyThe Budhashtami CeremonyThe Mangal-Chandi CeremonyThe Janmashtami CeremonyThe Kul-Mangalbar CeremonyThe Dan-Sankranti CeremonyThe Kalika CeremonyThe Satya Pir PujahThe Satyanarayan CeremonyThe Nil-Sasgthu CeremonyThe Manthan Sashthi CeremonyThe Joymangalbar CeremonyThe Aranya Sashthi CeremonyThe Pashan Chaturdasi CeremonyThe Cawrw-Cawry CeremonyChhatt
