Bala-Bhoga Koudiya Khai in Karttika
The Holy month of Karttika has immense significance for the people of Odisha. Among all the months in a Hindu calendar, this is the most pious and sacred one. In this month, Shri Jagannatha is worshiped along with his beloved lover Rai (Radha) and the besha or the the adornment donned is known as Radha Damodar Besha. This besha takes place from Aswina Sukla Ekadasi tithi (the 11th day of the bright fortnight in Aswina) to Karttika Sukla Dasami tithi (the 10th day of the bright fortnight in Kartika).In this month, Goddess Laxmi allows Her husband Shri Jaganntha to be with Rai or RadhaRani for 25 days. So in Karttika , Rai Damodar is worshiped for 25 days where as Laxmi Narayana for rest 5 days in the month.
In the book “ Karttika Mahatmya” the Rai Damodara katha is described in a very lucid manner.The celebration of love between Rai (Radha) and Shri Jaganntha is reflected in their conversation while playing dice.
In the month of Karttika many devoted Odia Hindus keep Karttika brata and observe staunch rituals like Habishya( to take only boiled food for one time which is prepared without spice, oil, turmeric) for the whole month. Habishya food is Sattvik in nature comprising of mainly raw rice, green moong dal and vegetables like raw plantain, colocasia, elephant apple,raw tamarind pods, flowers and leaves of Sesbania plant.Instead of oil ghee or clarified butter is used for cooking. Those who observe Habishya, take one vegetarian meal in a day after completion of all rituals of Karttika brata.
During this month, there is a special offering to Lord Jagannatha known as “Bala Bhoga”. The meaning of “Bala” is hair. You must be wondering, how come such a strange name has been in use for the holy offering of Lord Jaganntha. The legend says, once the Gajapati Maharaja (King)of Puri found a string of hair in the garland that adorned Lord Jaganntha. The king was taken aback and inquisitively asked the servitor Taliccha Mahapatra who happened to be in charge of garlanding Lord about the hair in the garland. The servitor hesitantly replied the king that the hair belonged to Lord Jaganntha. The Gajapati Maharaja was so amused with the answer that, he went on to the extent of checking it on the Lord’s head. Upon seeing some strings of hair, the king started pulling it to verify if it was original or not. To his utter surprise, blood drops started dripping from the Lord’s head.Seeing this the king got back to his senses and apologized the Lord and the servitor for the grave mistake that he committed.
In commemoration of that incident, Balabhoga was introduced in Shri Mandiara.
BalaBhoga( Koudiya khai) Preparation
Khai or parched paddy flakes
Roasted wheat
Roasted flax seeds
Roasted brown peas
Roasted peas
Thinly sliced coconut
Salt
Crushed /grated ginger
Mix all the ingredients except coconut and ginger. While serving add sliced coconut and ginger. Adding them before, makes the parched paddy flakes moist and slimy.
Note: The exact amount of each ingredient is not known. You can mix and match your version of recipe. This salty preparation of Balabhoga is done only in the month of Karttika.
The last five days of Karttika is known as Panchaka and it is believed that even the herons (known as Baka or Baga in Odia dialect) stop eating fish.So this is also known as Baka panchaka. During this period the deities are decorated daily with different beshas.
The spirit of this holy month lies in celebrating smaller details of life, be it drawing a muruja before the holy basil, relishing on traditional dalma, helping grand Ma in offering Akasha deepa or simply observing the mother nature undergoing colorful transformation. For me, Karttika month evokes the nostalgic memories of childhood days spent with my grand mother (Aai) . Its an amalgamation of memories strung together, like the blissful smell of the Gangashiuli flowers those used to bloom in my grand mother’s courtyard during dawn. I am going to see my grand mother & spend a day with her in this week before Karttika ends. I will try to relive my childhood for a day, in the lap of my granny, far far far from the hustle bustle of the crowded city.
Till then,
Keep reading,
Be kind,
Love.
Swetapadma
