Fertility of women is celebrated in many societies around the world. Puberty or onset of menstrual cycle is also similar in India –a country where patriarchy dominates and women are treated as just “a womb” or bearer of the race.
However, puberty of a girl is a matter of celebration in Tamil and South Indian societies which are more matrilineal in origin. A grand festival is organized to celebrate the occasion where girl is gifted by all relatives and dear ones. But, same doesn’t happen in any states of North Indian states.
From worship of goddesses to organizing ceremonies by different names, harvest festivals, and giving feast to “kumari kanya”, fertility commands a great importance.
Let’s tell you some interesting “fertility rituals of Hinduism” across India. It will tell you a lot about status of women in different societies across India.
“Fertility Ritual of Mother Earth’ –Harvest Festivals
Harvest festivals like Baisakhi, Pogal, Bihu, and Onam are major ritual of fertility. But, it doesn’t the fertility of women, instead it celebrates the ‘fertility of the Mother Earth”. Prayers by farming community are offered to the “Mother Earth” to retain its fertility that is necessary for human survival.
Offering “Amarnath Seeds” with Milk
Amarnath seeds are offered with raw milk on the first day of periods. This is considered to strengthen the reproductive cycle of a girl.
Raw Rice, Coconut, & Ghee
Some specific diets containing raw rice, ghee, coconut (milk & water), jiggery, and cardamom are considered good for periods. They are recipe for the three meals a day.
Balls of Til-Gud and Parupu Urundai
Balls of rice, toor dal, ragi, garlic and onion are cooked with spices. These are given during periods to a girl/woman to make her periods healthier. In north India, this is often replaced with Til (sesame) and gud (jiggery).
Non Vegetarian Infertility Diets
This includes raw egg yolk that contains high protein. That is swallowed by the menstruating girl with the help of sesame oil.
Bathing with Neem & Turmeric Paste
This is widely prevalent in South India. The girl is given bath of Neem and turmeric paste. Scientifically, these are the antiseptic and anti-microbial herbs. However, they are part of ritual too!
Don’t’ Forget the Feast!
A grand ceremony like marriage is organized by the parents of the girl who has just got her periods. She is treated like “queen”. This grand feast is mainly convened by the maternal uncle of the girl. This practice is very common in Southern states of India. It is called “Saddangu” in Tamil; “Aashirvada” in Karnataka, and “Tuloni Biyah” in Assam.
However, in most societies of north India, puberty is often hidden and kept secret even among female members of the family. It is never talked about, and seen with body-shaming and disgust that a young girl has to see from start of her periods. Most Hindus are so acquainted of deeply ingrained fertility rituals that they don’t even notice. But, directly or indirectly, quality of “giving birth” is celebrated in different ways across India, because it is a divine power to keep the human race alive on Earth.
Worshiping the “Virgin” Girls in North Indian States
In an ironical contrast to celebration in south Indian states, a girl who has reached puberty is often treated as untouchable. A festival of ‘Kanchack’ or ‘Kanya Pujan’ which are often celebrated during “Navratri Festival” in Northern parts of India girls who have not yet reached puberty are given feast. They are considered the incarnation of “Goddesses” and are seen with great reverence in “Navratri Pujan”. However, the grim reminder is that Northern states have the highest rate of rape, dowry deaths, and crimes against women.
After all bias, girls are considered symbols of fertility. This is why, people in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and other states; who wish to have children or a good prosperous family; tend to worship girls who are yet to reach puberty.
