Samipya 1992 Vol 09 Ank 01 02

Author(s): Pravinchandra C Parikh, Bhartiben Shelat
Publisher: Bholabhai Jeshingbhai Adhyayan Sanshodhan Vidyabhavan

Page 74

Pre-consent (4) Whereas amongsts Vagharis, the pre-consent of the Goddesses is required through
the media of their priests or Bhagats or Pūjāris.
The worship of first and second categories are not in existence. The socio-religious life of Vaghari community is fabricated around the third and fourth categories of worship, with animal sacrifice.
Seeking the consent of Goddess
No religious or other important social affairs are carried out without obtaining the permission from Goddess. Pre-permission is imperative for occasions viz. for fixing the date of Jatar ceremony, date of marriage ceremony and other religious ceremony to be performed after the fulfilment of vow or Bådhå etc. The process of seeking permission is prescribed traditionally through the process of observation of grain corns. Normally, it is conducted by Bhagat or Pūjārı belonging to Vaghari community. Further he is consulted for good omen or 'Muhūrat' for all purposes.
Augury The corn is sifted, cleaned, pounded, and treated with frankincense, offered to the goddess and lastly partaken of before sunset, and all these operations must be performed on the same day for the offerings must not see lamplight. Girls are not allowed to partake in these offerings. All ceremonies should be conducted with much earnestness and reverence; otherwise the offerings will fail to prove acceptable to the matās or devies or goddesses. Worship of Lord Krishņa
As Lord Krishņa being a creator of Goddess Meladi, no puja or worship is initiated without offering him oblation of molasses. Animal sacrifice is also offered to him, of course it is prohibited amongst few sub-groups. Vow :
In the observance of the vow, the devotee abstains from certain things, till the period of the vow expires. When a vow is thus discharged or fulfilled the devotee offers flowers, garlands, incense, food or drink according to the terms of his vow. The dhūpa, i. e. burning incense of gugal (balsamodendron) is one of the commonest methods of worship. Here amongst vagharis, vow of performing Jātar' is taken invariably. Jätar
Literally, the meaning of 'Jatar' is ‘yatra'-a pilgrimage, in which the entire family (Kutumb) meets and celebrates at the 'Madh' of their Kuldevi (family deity). Of course, Prior to this ceremony, Lord Krishna is offered oblation which is known as 'Thakor-no-koliyo, (Thakor-Koli). Here the image of Lord Krishna is symbolically erected from the wet flour of weat and by pushing two pins upward and
Vagharis of Gujarat : An Ancient Tribe ]
[19