Mhaisal being on the boundary between Maharashtra & Karnataka states, enjoys a unique blend of cultures, of North and South India. This beautiful interweaving of cultures is reflected in the festivals
that are celebrated.
"Renuka" the embodiment of "Shakti", and venerated as "Adimaya", has her seat at "Saundatti", in Belgaum Dist. of Karnataka. She is worshipped in North Karnataka, and South Maharashtra, as "Yellamma"(every one's mother, in Kannada), with many temples dedicated to her.
One of the many festivals in her honour is the "Bhandarkhana", which is essentially, 'breaking bread', together without distinction of class, creed, caste or relegion.
My uncle, late
Kishorsing Shinde, was one of Her ardent devotees, he started the Bhandarkhana in our village on a grand scale over Thirty Six years ago. At it's peak, over 12,000 people participated. It was said that on the Bhandarkhana day, not a single hearth was stoked in the village, as every one would partake of the common meal as prasad.
The preparations begin at least ten days before the Poornima (full moon day), in the month of "Poush", of the Hindu, lunar calendar. Many send in their offerings, in the form of money, wheat, Sugar/Jagery, and other stuff. There is a panch committee,(presently headed by my cousin, Kailassing), which o
versees all the preparations. The actual cooking starts very early in the morning. The Kheer ( a sweet gruel of Wheat ,Jaggery and added flavours) is prepared in huge vessels called a "Kail" .
In the morning the "Aarti" (invocation and praise of the Deity) is performed. Then the "Pangats" start. The first serving goes as a "Nevedya"(offering) to the Goddess, and then the "Jogtins"("Devdasis", these women are fortunately becoming rarer by the day, and will eventually disappear), are fed, with a lot of respect. It is indeed interesting to see the richest and poorest, the upper castes and the lower ones, Hindus and Muslims, all sit together and share the same simple fare, with piety and humility.
A real portrayal of "Sarva-Dharma-Samabhav" (True Indian Secularism)
that are celebrated."Renuka" the embodiment of "Shakti", and venerated as "Adimaya", has her seat at "Saundatti", in Belgaum Dist. of Karnataka. She is worshipped in North Karnataka, and South Maharashtra, as "Yellamma"(every one's mother, in Kannada), with many temples dedicated to her.
One of the many festivals in her honour is the "Bhandarkhana", which is essentially, 'breaking bread', together without distinction of class, creed, caste or relegion.
My uncle, late
Kishorsing Shinde, was one of Her ardent devotees, he started the Bhandarkhana in our village on a grand scale over Thirty Six years ago. At it's peak, over 12,000 people participated. It was said that on the Bhandarkhana day, not a single hearth was stoked in the village, as every one would partake of the common meal as prasad.The preparations begin at least ten days before the Poornima (full moon day), in the month of "Poush", of the Hindu, lunar calendar. Many send in their offerings, in the form of money, wheat, Sugar/Jagery, and other stuff. There is a panch committee,(presently headed by my cousin, Kailassing), which o
versees all the preparations. The actual cooking starts very early in the morning. The Kheer ( a sweet gruel of Wheat ,Jaggery and added flavours) is prepared in huge vessels called a "Kail" .In the morning the "Aarti" (invocation and praise of the Deity) is performed. Then the "Pangats" start. The first serving goes as a "Nevedya"(offering) to the Goddess, and then the "Jogtins"("Devdasis", these women are fortunately becoming rarer by the day, and will eventually disappear), are fed, with a lot of respect. It is indeed interesting to see the richest and poorest, the upper castes and the lower ones, Hindus and Muslims, all sit together and share the same simple fare, with piety and humility.
A real portrayal of "Sarva-Dharma-Samabhav" (True Indian Secularism)
