In a feministic era where millions are fighting for the voice of women to be heard and given an equal say, it is indeed heartening to see 8 Global expats come together to celebrate the Hindu festival of feminine worship, Ashtami.
In a feministic era where millions are fighting for the voice of women to be heard and given an equal say, it is indeed heartening to see 8 Global expats come together to celebrate the Hindu festival of feminine worship, Ashtami.
Ashtami or Kanya Puja as it is commonly known in all parts of India is a reminder of the woman being the starting point of the circle of life. It is celebrated on the eighth or ninth day of the Navratri festival. Although not very popular around the world, Chaitra Navratri (there’s more than one, this one falls in spring) is a much-awaited celebration in India. Nine young girls representing the nine incarnations of Goddess Durga are worshipped. The symbolic representatives are considered the pure basic creative force according to this philosophy.
The festival also recognizes the feminine power vested in young girl and to give them as much importance in the social fabric as the so called heir-apparent (boys) who are otherwise known to be pampered in a biased manner in a male dominated patriarchal average Indian household. Although there seems to be a drastic shift in the mindset of modern families, the stigma of having a girl born to you is still deeply ingrained in rural and less progressive parts of India.
As custom, men of the household wash the feet of these nine girls and seek their blessing and offer gifts usually some clothing or money a mark of respect. You can count on it if you have a little girl at home to have food now delivered to your doorstep with gifts and money in each plate. When I was younger it used to be the day all girls in the building got together and went from door to door to get the same food and gifts. It was like being a child left alone in Willy Wonka’s factory.
However, little did I know that the best ever Ashtami I’ve celebrated would be across the border, away from home. The festival consists of 9 days of fasting; each family has different ways of doing it, but I, personally, fast only on water, and no food at all. Its grueling to say the least. I posted about needing 9 little girls to finish this fast in order for me to feed them, on several groups, but I opened invite to adults and men as well. Growing up in a modern family and believing in feminism, I figured, there should be no partiality to one gender. Also, its traditional that girls be of pre-puberty age, but in my household, my grandfather propagated the age old saying, ‘A son is a son till he gets himself a wife, but a daughter is a daughter, all her life.’ So I was worshipped, still am, no matter my age. As was my brother.
It was a little disappointing when Indian groups of women and housewives didn’t quite respond but lo and behold. I had rescuers aplenty!
19 people came forward to participate in this tradition with me but due to time and health concerns only 8 made it to lunch. Where did I find them? On the Wechat group of Vegans of Shanghai. The admin Eve, Indian herself, arranged a separate group for all those willing to participate. It was so heart warming to see global community come out to celebrate an Indian festival matter how small.
Now I’m a Double Masters candidate in Global Media and Communication, so you can fathom how absolutely beyond thrilled I was for the global expats. Of course I had to treat their taste buds to more than just the customary (Chana- chickpea curry, puri- fried wheat bread, sheera/halwa- semolina cooked with sugar and clarified butter and a banana)
So I had a table laid out, believe me, Indian food is a LOT of work. So I started cutting vegetables at 11:30pm the previous night since I couldn’t start cooking before midnight. (Food on festivals is a prayer offering and cannot be served a day old, and cannot be thrown. You’d rather just donate the left overs if any.)
On the menu, and duly labeled with post its, was pani puri (a delicious burst of flavors commonly had as street food), chana, puri, halwa, raswale aloo (potatoes in sour spiced tomato gravy), paneer pasanda (a cottage cheese preparation made in tomato and peanut gravy), baked baby potatoes with cumin, stir fry broccoli and cauliflower made with Indian spices, Idli Sambar (a South Indian delicacy of steamed rice cakes and yellow lentil and vegetable curry served with coconut chutney), two kinds of sandwiches- carrot cabbage mayonnaise and white sauce sweet corn and mushroom. We gulped all of it down with fresh watermelon juice made by two dashing men who were participating in the prayer gathering. We also had mouth fresheners called Sauf
As tradition, I, the host; washed everyone’s feet, took their blessings, did the aarti, and we all had a merry chat over lunch. We took a bunch of polaroids, I received, chocolates, flowers and a plant that signified the circle of life (how very thoughtful of my friend), and everybody left with handmade Indian silk scarves and tiny bottle of perfumes my father makes.
This Ashtami couldn’t have been more blessed with virtual washing of my feet by my own family, new friends and blessings in abundance.
Oh and did I mention, ALL the food was vegan too? Who knew we could go the extra mile and pull it off? I certainly couldn’t have without the help of my dear Pakistani friend Maimoona. So if you are reading this, bless one, bless all and remember, home is not where you’re from. It is where you belong. Some travel a lifetime looking for it, some find it in people along the way. I found mine in Shanghai on this day.
