Janmashtmi

Today is Janmashtmi - the birth day of Lord Krishna one of the most popular incarnations of God Vishnu, particularly in the North, Bengal and Orissa. Krishna's following has grown world-wide, thanks to ISCON. Unlike other Gods in the Hindu pantheon, Krishna's folklore is marked by romance,youthful pranks, music and dancing. Krishna's discourse to Arjun on the Mahabharat battle field is immortalised in the "Shrimad Bhagwat Gita"- the most powerful treatise on Hindu Dharma and philosophy.

Here are titbits of my childhood memories of Janmashtami- the pains we took over decorating the "Jhankis" depicting scenes of Lord Krishna's birth, with lots of foliage and flowers. The effect of reflecting water pools was created by using mirrors. Then there were the "Katri" sweets- basically dry fruits set in sugar, as exotic and varied as "Kharbooza"( Melon) seeds and natural gum ( "Gond"), "Post"( poppy seeds). The "Chiraunji" and Gola( dry coconut)Katris were my favourite. Every one kept " Vrat" ( fast), which meant you could eat to your hearts content but without " Anna" ( cereal) and salt.As as many sweets, as much milk or its products, fruits, vegetables . Therefore there were " Kutoo" and "Singhara" atta puris with the traditional " Arvi" ," Kaddu " Subzis, all cooked in "Sendha Namak" to be enjoyed while observig the Janmashtmi fast. Compare it with the rigours of fasting prescribed by other religions.
Lord Krishana's birth was invariably a noisy affair at mid-night, with a lot of fanfare, blowing of Conch ( "Shankh") shells and sounding of bells. A curtain was drawn to hide the actual birth of Baby Krishna. He came out of a "Kheera"( cucumber), bathed and clothed before, being placed in the traditional " Jhoola" ( swing). Why a Kheera, our young minds would ask, but we were never allowed to go beyond that . And we didn't care anyway, because the treat of " Charnamrit" or " Panchamrit"( made of milk, curds, honey, Ghee, Chiraunjis and Tulsi leaves ) Prasad "served in earthen " Kulhars""Kasaar" sweet roasted Atta which we kids called " Phoophoo" because if you said "that" while eating it , the powder would be strewn all over people next to you, awaited us!

Interestingly, " Janmashtmi" is the only festival celebrated in a big way in the Police Lines all over UP. The reason for this is simple. It is perhaps the only festival which does not require massive police deplyment for " Bandobast" or law and order duties. Well, I do hope that it remains that way, now that political fundamentalism and religious terrorism is taking a heavy toll of our day to day peaceful lives!

I am carrying a picture of " Laddu Gopal' decked out in his refineries adorning the Puja at home with this blog for all of you to have his Darshan. Shailey and I have kept up the long family tradition of observing Janmashtmi, while many of our peers are tending to give it up." OK . You find it tiresome to go through with all the hassles of cooking " Phalhari" meals, then why not order an egg less Cake with Kuttoo Atta flour from" Angels in the Kitchen" in Defence Colony with Baby Krishna and Happy Birthday icing to top it, in your choice of flavour- Vanilla, Chocolate or Pineapple", I suggested to a friend, who mentioned that his wife was prepared to go through with the Janmashtami shopping and cooking part, but since the kids don't relish the stuff any longer, they had decided to let it pass!

Last year on " Janmashtmi day, we decided to go out to a pure vegetarian restaurant to have " Phalhari Thali" lunch, but were greatly disappointed that it was not being served!

I had promised more on " Bhaggo Mausi" in my last blog. So here it is.She was an extemely warm, intelligent, affectionate and charming aunt- my mother's 7th sibling among 8. She could laugh, smile and cry within a matter of an hour! Rather emotional and sentimental but became a very strict disciplinarian after her marrige to Dr Vikram Singh, a self made Mona ( Jat) Sikh.She started an all Women's college in Ghaziabad, with only 10 students, which now has thousands on its rolls. She was a Phd. in English Literature from Patna Univ.and applied for a Commonwealth Scholorship for further studies in the UK, in the mid fifties. Dr. Vikram Singh,a "Leftist" from an agricultural and industrial background in the Punjab had somehow strayed into Govt service and was serving as a Deputy Secreaty to the GOI in the Education Minstry.He was on the Board to interview the applicants. A lonely handsome man, he was on the look out for a well bread and read life mate.I am Carrying a picture of Vikram mausaji with this blog.

Now this is how the interview went :-

DR VS, " Why do you want this scholorship?'

Dr Bhagya Gurha " Well I want to see England, where all this literature I have been studying comes from".

Dr VS " Hmm, what would you have to say if I show you England and many more foreign lands, minus the the scholorship?"

Dr BS, " What do you mean?"

Mausaji, " I will explain, if you meet me over coffee after the interview".

" OK " said Mausi without batting an eyelid in those days of innocence. She also did not complain to the Women's Commission or an NGO of being sexually propositioned by a Public Servant!

They met, not once but a few times, after which he proposed to her.Like a good daughter from respectable family,she gave him the postal address of Nanaji, Dr. Sidh Gopal Gurha, Civil Surgeon ( Retd)," Sidh Sadan", Mcnair Road, Prem Nagar Bareilly.This was the huge almost 30 room mansion Nanaji had built for himself to live in, but soon moved in to the Annexe, when the then Civil Surgeon approached him to give the house to accommodate the Nurses of the District Hospital, who did not have a place to live in. Nanaji's grandchildren,and my cousins, Girdhar and Manohar managed to get the house vacated after 50 long years of legal battle. I am carrying a picture of the house as it stood when I took Shailey there in 1997.

Mausaji wrote to Dr Gurha giving his brief background and asking for his fourth daughter's hand in marriage. Nanaji replied saying that he did not mind, if his daughter wanted to marry him. But he could not perform the marriage from Bareilly given Mausaji's unorthodox background ( a Sikh marrying a second time). Bhaggo Mausi then approached her dear elder sister, "Shillaji" ( my Mom), who asked my father whether the marriage could be solemnized from our house in Meerut and Pitajee said " Yes".
So we recieved Mausaji and the small Baraat of Punjabis for a very simple wedding followed by a very tearful " Bidaai", after which we didn't know whether to feel happy or sad. I was about 1o years old then in 1955.But Bhaggo Mausi led a very happy married life giving birth to her two daughters, Cuckoo and Tottoo. They first lived in a DII flat in Pandara Road and later moved to DI/75 Satya Marg, Chanakyapuri from where he retired, before moving to their own huge house in Ghaziabad- post retirement.This is the house where Bhaggo Mausi lived looked after by a loyal maid and her family who lived in the out houses, reciting Keat's poetry and reding Shakespear, till she breathed her last at the age of 89.Mausaji had passed away some years back. We had gone and spent some time with her in this house a month ago when she took ill. Her face had lit up on seeing us and she had hugged me fondly, smiling with tears in her eyes.

Well, that I feel is enough for this blog. Do let me see a few comments on it.
Love and all the best