| 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 takes place. 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. |
