|
Page18
Unlike many other kshetras there are no specific annual festivals as such, although the navaratras are
the more prominent of the several festivals observed. No annual fair is held nor is there any custom of visiting this shrine every year like the one prevailing in the case of the Vithoba of Pandharpur. The devotees keep coming throughout the car. Many are Pious pilgrims who are out to visit the tirths and kshetras of the land. But most are from families that consider the Ambabai or Mahalakshmi as their kulaswamini, family deity. The general custom is that members of these families visit the shrine when some auspicious occasion such as marriage or the birth of a son takesplace. The newly weds or the new born babe are brought here and the blessings of the goddess are sought for their benefit. This is a widely prevalent practice and if one is present in the temple one would notice at least a dozen such visitors within a single morning. Apart from those who trek here through family tradition, there are those who come to fulfil their vows. A wish or desires expressed before the goddess and a promise is made to return the favour with some appropriate gift. This is known as ‘navas’ in marathi.
A childless couple may take the vow that on begetting one they would present a sadi-choli, i.e., garments, to the devi. The manner of the fulfilment of the vow depends upon the promise made. If it is no more than the presentation of a sadi-choli, or the filling of the lap with bodice-cloth i. e. ‘khan’ and coconut, one has merely to purchase a set available immediately outside the temple and place it before the goddess. However, if it is something more than that, that is, if one wants to perform rites like Ekadashni or abhisheka, or wants to present a mahanaivedya or mahapuja, it is
only through the priest that it can be done. There are no fixed routine rates for types of worship or kinds of offerings. But two practices are more common. One is filling the lap, other is presentation of a dress that is sadi-choli. ‘Sets of both these including other necessary substances like kumkum, haladi, chane, etc are sold in the shops outside the temple. The former costs one and a half-rupees, the latter five rupees. Any special rites cost according to what the priest in charge may determine. Coconuts, Chane, pedhas and kumkum ire given as the prasada of the devi. Lack of any irritating restrictions on the darshan, absence of any pestering pandyas and lack of insistence on any fixed monetary gifts keep the atmosphere clean and peaceful.
|
