Sunday, March 5, 2023

Holi Festival : Destination Mandangad

    Holi is, after Ganesh Chaturthi, only the second most important festival of the paradise land of Konkan. Unlike the traditions of most northern regions Konkan does not observe it as merely a fest of colours. It is known as Shimaga and occupies a large span of almost three quarters of Falgun, eleventh month of Hindu calendar and all the dwellers of villages involve in it. Interestingly, there are several customs and traditions with little difference throughout whole of the Konkan region. 
     Mandangad, a tiny village like tehsil (county) town is situated to the north of the Ratnagiri district along the Konkan coast. Shimaga festival observed in Mandangad tehsil is unique on its place. Mandangad has the smallest sea shore of all the district coast line, but it is famous as a protected tortoise reproduction center. Velas, a small village is the hub of this activity. It is the native place of Nana Phadanis, historically famous wise chieftain of the Peshawa court. Amidst the villages surrounded by hills and valleys, Ambadve is a place which is the native land of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the framer of Indian Constitution. There is one more village - Plawani from where Prataprao Gujar, one of the military generals of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had hailed. Mandangad itself was an important fort in the state of Shivaji Maharaj.
Temple of Bhairy - village deity of Mandangad 
    A land of peasants and fishermen, Mandangad tehsil is presently very busy with Shimaga. It begins on the fifth day of Falgun, when the first holy fire is ignited. It is repeated in every evening till the full moon of the month. During these ten days Palquins of surrounding village deities and entertaining folk dance groups visit Mandangad. Palquin is a wooden box or swing with long shafts at both ends to carry it on human shoulders. Interestingly, being county Head Quarter, the village deity does not go out and folk dance teams too don’t cross town borders. 
        Palquins are very happily welcomed and aukshan is performed. It is to move a holy lamp in circular motion before the deity. The idea behind the visits of deities has some sociological context. It is believed that god himself and goddess herself go to meet the dwellers once a year. In the course of time, several families of former village chiefs have shifted to cities and their native houses are deserted, however the palquins visit the closed houses and return, as a sign of paying homage to the chiefs. Traditions reflect. 
        Among the palquins, that of the deity of Konawali village has a little more importance. It is accompanied by Sankasur, a symbolic remembrance of demon born out of a cone in ash. He wears black clothes with a tall conical cap covering even his face and has a long white beard and a hunter in hand that is for children an attraction as well as a fearful entity. The palquin of Konawali is famous for searching Sharan hidden under ground. Sharan is a set of edible leaves, betel nut and coconut wrapped with a cloth, which is to be extracted by the palquin. It is a belief that by her divine power the deity finds it out. 
Search of Sharan
    Searching a Sharan is a short event of half an hour. The palquin dance is performed, initially with low pace, gradually the movements become fast. The breathtaking dance makes the spectators feel afraid there shouldn’t be any accident. It is also said that during the dance the holy open oil lamp remains ignited and safe on its place. Drum beating uproar grows. The deliriously dancing carriers are frequently relieved by fresh pairs. Within a few last minutes their whirling rotations become speedier and continuous, and are ultimately pushed forcefully (by the divine power of the deity) to the place where the Sharan is hidden, the palquin leans towards the ground and remain steady for a while and then suddenly plunges upwards and runs along madly…… Experienced mature men shout with joy, “Uncovered! Found!!.....” and so on. 
    There are certain folk dances performed only during this festival. ‘Dera’ is main among them. Dera means earthen water pot. The mouth of a big such pot is sealed by a leather screen; two belts are attached to it that make wonderful sound when rubbed stressed. (Watch video)

    Mandangad is a historic Head Quarter and an important place for monitoring the vast surrounding area. Although not much information is available, there must be a colony of well to do people on the fort and in the town beneath it. Present surrounding hamlets of milkmen community is evident. Dera is perhaps a symbolic presentation of the sports of Lord Krishna and Radha, which may throw light on the history of this underprivileged region.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Holi Festival : Destination Mandangad

     Holi is, after Ganesh Chaturthi, only the second most important festival of the paradise land of Konkan. Unlike the traditions of most ...