DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.636#0439
Hindu Fasts, Festivals, and Holy Days. 42
ence in the eating of cakes, sweetmeats, and other good
things. At one of the most sacred places in India, Prayaga
(Allahabad), where the Jumna and Ganges meet, a celebrated
religious fair (Mela) takes place during this season.
The same festival in the South of India is commonly called
Pongal (or Pungal). It marks the commencement of the
Tamil year, and is the day for congratulatory visits. People
purchase new cooking-pots and boil fresh rice in milk. Then
they salute each other with the question—' Has the milk
boiled?' to which the answer is given that 'the boiling
(pongal) is over.' In reality the South Indian festival seems
to be dedicated to the glorification of agriculture. Cattle are
decorated with garlands, their horns coloured, and mango
leaves hung round their necks. Then they are led about in
procession, exempted from all labour, and virtually, if not
actually, worshipped.
Vasanta-pancami, on the 5th of the light half of Magha
(January-February). This is a spring festival. In Bengal
SarasvatI (Sri), goddess of arts and learning, is worshipped at
this season. No reading or writing takes place, and the day
is observed as a holiday in all public and mercantile offices.
The worship is performed either before an image of the god-
dess, or before an ink-stand, pens, paper, and other implements
of writing taken to represent the image. Sometimes an offici-
ating priest is called in who reads the prescribed formulae,
and presents rice, fruits, sweetmeats, flowers, etc., while the
lay-worshippers stand before the images or symbols with
flowers in their hands, beseeching the goddess to grant them
the blessings of learning, wealth, fame, and health.
Moreover, on this day, according to Mr. S. C. Bose, every
Pandit in Bengal who keeps a school sets up an image of
SarasvatI and invites his patrons and friends to call upon
him and do honour to the goddess. This they do by making
offerings of rupees, which really form an important part of
the Pandit's annual income. It is a significant fact that
ence in the eating of cakes, sweetmeats, and other good
things. At one of the most sacred places in India, Prayaga
(Allahabad), where the Jumna and Ganges meet, a celebrated
religious fair (Mela) takes place during this season.
The same festival in the South of India is commonly called
Pongal (or Pungal). It marks the commencement of the
Tamil year, and is the day for congratulatory visits. People
purchase new cooking-pots and boil fresh rice in milk. Then
they salute each other with the question—' Has the milk
boiled?' to which the answer is given that 'the boiling
(pongal) is over.' In reality the South Indian festival seems
to be dedicated to the glorification of agriculture. Cattle are
decorated with garlands, their horns coloured, and mango
leaves hung round their necks. Then they are led about in
procession, exempted from all labour, and virtually, if not
actually, worshipped.
Vasanta-pancami, on the 5th of the light half of Magha
(January-February). This is a spring festival. In Bengal
SarasvatI (Sri), goddess of arts and learning, is worshipped at
this season. No reading or writing takes place, and the day
is observed as a holiday in all public and mercantile offices.
The worship is performed either before an image of the god-
dess, or before an ink-stand, pens, paper, and other implements
of writing taken to represent the image. Sometimes an offici-
ating priest is called in who reads the prescribed formulae,
and presents rice, fruits, sweetmeats, flowers, etc., while the
lay-worshippers stand before the images or symbols with
flowers in their hands, beseeching the goddess to grant them
the blessings of learning, wealth, fame, and health.
Moreover, on this day, according to Mr. S. C. Bose, every
Pandit in Bengal who keeps a school sets up an image of
SarasvatI and invites his patrons and friends to call upon
him and do honour to the goddess. This they do by making
offerings of rupees, which really form an important part of
the Pandit's annual income. It is a significant fact that