Samipya 1992 Vol 09 Ank 01 02

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

Page 75

two pins downward which indicates two hands and legs of Lord Krishna. Jatar is normally performed during various occasions, viz. marriage, birth of children, installation of Madh, temple or housing colony and also in case of some settlements of quarrels.
At the time of performing various Jātar ceremony some Mantras are chanted in peculiar tune. It has nothing to do with Sanskrit verses (Sblokas). It is handed down from generation to generation.
Before offering a goat for sacrifice the members of the entire family and relatives move in circular around the goat and each one has to touch the scape-goat with dragger one by one. In some areas, they touch with palm. It is known as Māta-nothapo'. Secondly, the moment the goat is slauttered, the blood coming out from the main vein from the throat of the goat is supposed to be sucked up by Bhūvă directly and in some areas blood is collected in a dish containing an idol of Goddess and seven draughts of blood along with wine are sucked by the Bhūvās. Simultaneously, the toungue of the goat is detached and offered as homage to Goddess in altar of 'Yajña'. Bhūvā is also given Ghee (purified butter) to drink and molasses to eat immedtatety after drinking blood to avoid nausea, vomitting and other reactions, and then some tilak is marked by this blood on the forehead of Goddess. Firstly, the body of the dead goat is offered to the Goddess and then some of the portion is cooked, and feasted with rice. The residue of the meat is distributed among their relatives. These relatives used to cook at their own houses as 'Prasad'.
During this ceremony of animal sacrifice Bhüvā is assisted by a person known as 'Padhiyār' or 'Padhār' both in collecting flowing blood from the neck of the scapegoat and also helping the Bhava to drink the same. This Padhiyar is either selected by Bhūvā or appointed by the persons sponsoring of animal sacrifice.
Raval or Joshi is assisted and guided by a person known as Saratiya (aplaui) who decides the terms and conditions of the rituals.
They keep the drums beating very loudly and noisy atmosphere is created so that the killing of the goat cannot be heard outside and the tempo of dancing is maintained.
Wine is inevitable at the time of performing the ceremony and everybody has to drink and perform dance with the beating of drums. This ceremony lasts for 4 to 5 hours. It is learnt that even in Ahmedabad, this is performed on every Sunday or
Tuesday in their houses by rotation in their vicinity. . During Jatar,' in the initial stage Bhuva is honoured and adorned with new clothes and flowers. There after Clan-Goddess is worshipped, drums are beaten in a peculiar way to call the spirit or invoke the spirit of Goddess in the body of Bhavă (the Exorciser). On hearing the discordant voice of the drums, the Bhūva's body starts shaking which is known as 'convulsion fit.' It indicates that the Goddess
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| Samipya : April, '92-September, 1992