Kokani.me Kokani.me
Uday Bapardekar
Behavior: In Konkan i.e. in Sindhudurg district, after harvesting of rice and groundnut, the cowherds get the attention of 'Gavaldeva'. This tradition is a special dinner ceremony that increases the social harmony of the village and teaches about environmentally friendly life. It is like a friendly gathering of villagers and cowherds who cooperate with each other and this is the rich cultural heritage of Konkan.
Indian culture says that nature is the best. That is why Indian culture teaches that any work, business should be complementary to nature. That is why Indian festivals are eco-friendly. In order to protect the cows and herdsmen grazing in the forest from wild animals, this is a program of worshiping the nature deity and the king of the jungle (tiger). Lord Shri Krishna is said to have started this tradition. Today, although the number of cattle per household is decreasing, this tradition of 'Gavaldev' is still followed with the same devotion in Achre village. Farmers (Gurakhyani) of Achra-Deulwadi went to Achra-Nagochiwadi on Sunday (3rd) afternoon to celebrate Gaval Dev program with enthusiasm. Everyone from Achare village participated in the program from old age to child cowherd.
This festival mainly takes place in the forest near the wadi-habitation, in the hilly areas near the river or watercourse. All cowherds, farmers, small nobles clean the place of Gavaldev. Tulsi is smeared with Vrindavan. The gods and goddesses are worshiped there. A tiger made of clay or dung is prepared and worshipped. All the villagers come together and prepare food like dal, rice, vegetables, kheer, solakdi and show it to the gods and goddesses, Gavaldev, Waghoba. Later, all the cowherds, farmers, children take food together on banana leaves or mats and enjoy the program by sitting together and relishing the forest food.
Sakadas are offered to God to protect the cattle from disease and ferocious animals and for the blessing of grain and milk production. The deity is worshiped there. The event culminates with the child being transformed into a tiger and beaten by the symbolic tiger. Along with enjoying the nature, the importance of environmental conservation and the tradition of treating the tiger as a god are the distinguishing features of Achre village.
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