The Gazetteers Department

The predominantly Hindu population of Jalgaon may be described as that of confirmed theists. There are scarcely any people who deny God altogether. Although philosophically they will acknowledge that there is only one God, the source and fundamental cause of this universe, most of them will be found to be devotees of one or another specific deity incarnation or expression as described in the Hindu mythology. They are chiefly Vaisnavas, Saivas or Ganapati-worshippers according to family tradition. Every household is found to contain some small corner where the family images are kept and worshipped. The public places of worship and prayer are the temples of Siva. Visnu, Ganapati, and their various forms particularly those of Visnu. Popular among these are vithoba and Rama. Lakshmi-Narayan temples are to be found in several places and many have been built by Gujaratis or Marvadis. The Goddess Bhavani also receives special homage as Jagadamba. Lower in the order are Maruti, Mhasoba, Bhairava, Khandoba and others. Dattatraya is the combination of Brahma, Visnu and Mahesa and shrines dedicated to him are not only places of prayer and worship but even of pilgrimage. No orthodox Hindu will take his daily meal without offering it to his favourite deity and accepting it as his favour.

Among the common people and in the peasantry, there are a number of superstitions too. Almost every field is supposed to have its presiding deity and it has to be appeased by a yearly tribute of a fowl or a goat and in rare cases even a he-buffalo particularly if the landed property is fairly large. People of this district generally observe two special religious rites, known as rotpuja and cakrapuja or Ranubai Kajubai puja. The rotpuja or worship' in honour of Kajubai is said to have originated in Berar and copied from there. It is celebrated on the first Sunday after Nagapancami, i.e., the 5th day of the first half of Sravan, usually in July or August. All the members of the family have to observe a strict fast on the puja day. A pot of water with cocoanut on it is placed on a heap of wheat and a silver image of Ranubai is laid before it. In the evening, after lamps are lighted all sit down to take food.

Cakrapuja.

Cakrapuja is slightly different. It is also performed in honour of Ranubai whose image is set on an octagonal heap of rice. A lamp is set near it. Then both the image and the lamp are worshipped. Dinner is then served and special care is taken that no remnant of food is wasted or given away. The surplus is buried in a pit near the house. After dinner the heap of rice is shaped in the form of salunka or pindi in which the Sivalinga is set, a cocoanut is placed on the heap of rice as a symbol of the linga and worship is offered. After prayers, the cocoanut is broken and its kernel distributed as prasad to all. Ranubai is a favourite Khandesh family deity. Her marriage and sacred thread ceremony which is performed after the marriage are observed as a festival for seven days. On the seventh day a platform of plantain trees is made, a wheat flour image of Ranubai is prepared and placed on the platform and ceremoniously worshipped.

Atithipuja.

Atithipuja or guest receiving and honouring was an important practice in Khandesh families of repute. No head of the family would take food without a guest. Usually it was a Brahman but even others were honourably received, if they arrived at meal time. This has been imposed on every householder according to old Hindu tradition and teaching. Waiting for a guest while throwing kakabali that is a portion of food for crows and dogs was enjoined on every householder and even the duration for waiting was prescribed. It was as much time as was required to milk a cow. The ritual Vaisvadev of which this formed part has now almost disappeared but the essential idea of giving food and shelter to needy travellers is still respected and is handed down as a cultural heritage to all Hindus including Khandeshis.

TOP