Ajay Singh Chauhan | Nimar is one such western region of Madhya Pradesh in India, whose geographical boundaries are bounded by Vindhya Mountains on one side and Satpura on the other, while the holy Narmada river flows in the middle. This Nimar was known as ‘Anup Janpad’ in the mythological period. However, with the change of time, today it is known as Nimar. According to the eternal traditions and beliefs, one of the priceless treasures of nature, many types of regional and mythological beliefs are still celebrated in this Nimar.
According to the same regional and mythological beliefs, there is also ‘Jiroti’ who is considered to be the daughter of Nimar. While some people also consider Jiroti as mother. Jiroti is celebrated with gaiety as a traditional festival in the Nimar region.
According to ancient folk tales, ‘Jiroti’ used to come to his maternal home every year on the new moon day of the month of Sawan, and due to his arrival, there used to be a glow in the maternal house, that is, the whole building, and the greenery was covered all around. So the people here started celebrating this day of Hariyali Amavasya as a special festival in his honor.
This is an ancient traditional festival of Nimar. On this day, women from all over Nimar make a kind of artistic figure on the walls of their homes at holy places like places of worship and kitchens with colors of ocher and chalk clay, which is recognized as ‘Jiroti Mata’.
On this occasion, before making Jiroti, those walls of the house are purified with Ganga water and smeared with cow dung. After that, attractive Jiroti Mata would be made with the colors of ocher and chalk clay.
After becoming Jiroti Mata, the family together offer her a special dish named ‘Puranpoli’ and worship her and pray for the happiness and prosperity of the family.
In this figure of Jiroti Mata, children swinging in the cradle of Jiroti Mata, moon-sun, Tulsi, Brindavan, trees and plants, snake gods, women with Mahi or buttermilk, people dancing Gangaur, kitchen of the house and many types of household figures. are created.
Although Jiroti is an ancient tradition related to nature, so it is not limited to Nimar only but is also celebrated in many areas of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Maharashtra. Whereas, at present, it is becoming famous internationally as a ‘traditional art’.
The main reason behind this ancient and mythological tradition and festival is the love of nature, greenery and happiness and prosperity of families. Not only do we celebrate this festival for the good health of the children and the happiness and prosperity of the family, they also plant a plant in the house on this day. The basic purpose behind this is also that more importance should be given to plantation on Hariyali Amavasya.
It is also said in our various scriptures that one tree is equal to ten sons. Therefore, the pleasure of planting a tree is equal to that of ten sons. That is why Sanatan is considered not a religion but a lifestyle which is above all types of religions, creeds, and religions.
About The Author
