Why is Kali Chaudas Important in Mahudi, Where Sukhadi is Not Taken Home?
The Significance of Kali Chaudas in Mahudi
Kali Chaudas, also known as Naraka Chaturdashi, is a significant festival in Hindu mythology observed on the second day of Diwali. In Mahudi, a small village in Gujarat, India, Kali Chaudas holds particular importance due to a unique tradition associated with the festival.
Unlike other places, where people prepare and distribute Sukhadi, a traditional sweet dish, during Diwali, Mahudi observes a prohibition against bringing Sukhadi into homes on Kali Chaudas. This peculiar practice stems from a fascinating legend rooted in the village's history.
The Legend Behind the Sukhadi Prohibition
According to local folklore, a wealthy merchant named Vora Luhar lived in Mahudi during the reign of the Mughal emperor Akbar. Vora Luhar was known for his kindness and generosity, but he had one peculiar habit: he refused to distribute Sukhadi on Kali Chaudas.
One year, on the night of Kali Chaudas, a group of impoverished villagers sought help from Vora Luhar, asking for food and shelter. Despite their pleas, Vora Luhar harshly turned them away. Enraged by his selfishness, the villagers cursed him, saying that no Sukhadi would ever enter his home or any other home in Mahudi on Kali Chaudas.
From that day forward, the legend holds, the curse has been observed by the villagers of Mahudi. On Kali Chaudas, they refrain from bringing Sukhadi into their homes, believing that doing so would bring misfortune and poverty.
The Importance of Kali Chaudas in Mahudi Today
Over the centuries, the tradition of not distributing Sukhadi on Kali Chaudas has become an integral part of Mahudi's cultural identity. It serves as a reminder of the importance of compassion and generosity, and the consequences of selfishness.
Today, the villagers of Mahudi observe Kali Chaudas with various rituals and festivities. They light earthen lamps and decorate their homes with rangoli designs. They also perform a special puja (worship) to Goddess Lakshmi, seeking her blessings for wealth and prosperity throughout the year.
The prohibition against Sukhadi on Kali Chaudas remains a unique and intriguing aspect of Mahudi's Diwali celebrations, attracting visitors and researchers interested in the village's rich history and traditions.
