Monday 14 April 2014

Bishu

Today is a special day for us. It is the last day of the Hindu calender year. On this day we the Bishnupriya Manipuri community make special offerings to the Lord. We cook different pure vegetarian delicacies and make the offerings on a banana leaf outside the main gate. The offering is done by the eldest member of the family. After the offering is done the cooked items are exchanged among the neighbors and relatives and than consumed. This festival is known as Bishu.

On this day the whole house is cleaned and the kitchen is mainly cleaned of all non-veg items. Once properly cleaned the food is cooked. On this day the alters and deities of every household is cleaned and new clothes are worn by all. It is said that in ancient times on this day the offering was made of 108 food items. But now a days due to many reasons it is practiced no more.

It is believed that by cleaning the house, wearing new clothes and worshiping the Lord everyone is preparing to welcome the new year with fresh enthusiasm and hoping for a smooth new year. 

But since this year my mother-in-law expired we are not supposed to perform this ritual. But I am sharing with you all a few photographs taken last year.

Since in this congested city life it is not possible to make the offerings outside the main gate, we offered it on our terrace.. 

Anindya doing the offering..

 Akanksha doing pranama after the offering..

 
The platter ready to be consumed. On this day we sit on the floor to eat our food..

Anindya and Akanksha sitting in the traditional way to have their food..

Since here we have no relatives nearby and no neighbors of the same community we do no exchange of food but we always share what we cook, with our landlord. On this day, we prefer to stay home and welcome the new year in a peaceful manner and also make it a point not to eat outside.



20 comments:

  1. I've never heard of this! Very interesting! I have to say it must feel wonderful to start a new year with a clean home, new clothes and delicious food! :)

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    1. Yes Betsy, its really feels good and refreshing to start a new year with a clean home, new clothes and delicious food..

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  2. Hello Ranita. I have said it before somewhere but blogging opens up the world to us, and finding out about other cultures is so very interesting. Thank you, a lovely post!

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    Replies
    1. Glad that you liked Denise..I am also happy to share the same with you all..

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  3. Bishu r subhesha jonalu...
    Thanks for your post.

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  4. Thank you for this, Ranita. It is really interesting to hear about different cultures and to see the photographs is a delight. Your world seems much more colourful than mine.

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    1. Thanks Valerie for liking the post..it is not that my culture is more colourful than yours..I find all cultures very interesting and colourful..every culture is unique in itself..

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  5. It's our new year too -- Vishu.
    Happy Bihu to you. :) Let's hope it'll be a great year ahead.

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    1. Thank you Divya and Happy Vishu to you too..

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  6. Happy new year! Its Bengali new year too.

    Www.volatilespirits.com

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  7. in the name of modernity ..........all these purification have gone astray........love to see all around..............

    thanks ranita sharing the ritual.......it is lovely.......i wonder can anyone eat all the items.......some has to be hit and miss.................

    pankaj

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    1. Pankaj, we North Eastern people are foodies..we can eat a lot and we hit but never miss..:)

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  8. This is so very interesting, Ranita. I always love learning about different customs everywhere.

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