Practices Concerning Nature

Bakula Amabasya

'Bakula Amavasya' is popularly known as 'Vakula Amavasi'. It is observed during the month of December and January in Odisha. The festival is primarily dedicated to the Mango trees. During this period the mango tree blooms with the new seeds (in Odia it is known as Baula). Special food is prepared on the day and is being offered in temples. The food is also offered to Mango trees. The ritual is performed to get more mangoes during the season.

Bada Osa

A festival of fasting—Bada Osa is observed in every Hindu Oriya family in the month of November. It is primarily celebrated at Dhabaleswar temple in Cuttack district. This is followed by worship of the Lord with offering of Bhoga (i.e.the Prasad) named 'gajabhoga' (a sweet made up of milk derivatives) and 'attakali' (a local sweet dish with flour). After offering of 'bhoga', the Lord Jagannath used to adore the 'Bada Singhara Besha' which is one of the most pious occasions for the devotees. The rituals here relates to the story that Lord Indra had taken a holy dip here on full-moon day of in the month of Kartika to get rid of his leprosy which he was inflicted with after being cursed by Lord Brahma.

Baranaja

Baranaja (literally meaning twelve grains) is a traditional mixed farming system widespread across the rain fed Garhwali agricultural regions in Uttarakhand. In the baranaja system, there is intercropping of twelve, or sometimes more, crops. Cereals, lentils, vegetables, creepers and root vegetables are grown in this companion planting system. All crops are planted together on the same terraced fields in the kharif / chau masa or monsoon season.

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Buddhist Chants of Laddakh

The recitation of Ancient sacred Buddhist text is done every day by Buddhist monks in the Trans-Himalayan Region of Laddakh. The recitations have spiritual value and are done in order to appease the wrath of evil spirits and invoking the blessing of various Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, deities and Rinpoches (high 'Lama' reincarnate) for the well being of people and the world at large. The chanting helps in the meditation process and believed to be a path tp enlightenment. The chanting is often accompanied by music and dance. While chanting the monks wear special costumes and make (hand) gestures representing the divine being of the Buddha. Bells, drums, cymbals and trumpets are used to add the rythm.

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Source IGNCA Inventory of ICH, Janapada Sampada Division, IGNCA

Contributed by Aditya, CEE Ahmedabad