Rajendra Singh Baisthakur
Indian Culture values “traditions”. People follow them though most of them do not know the meaning of those practices. Let us examine a few practices and their significance.
We celebrate festival Deepavali not only with lights and crackers but also with “Ariselu”, a sweet item deep fried in oil. It contains more oil than any other known edible item in South India. Even in North plenty of sweets full of Ghee are used. Remember Deepavali is at the end of October or the beginning of November month, the starting point of winter season. To protect your body from winter cold excessive use of oil is necessary. Our sweets supply it. Then there would be no need to apply so many moisturizers and cold creams to make our skin normal. Such oily sweets are not just for one day’s consumption. They have to be taken all through the winter season for our health.
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Sri Rama Navami is celebrated at the end of March or the beginning of April which is the beginning of the Summer season. We prepare “Vadapappu and Paanakam” saying that Rama likes those items. But the fact is people drink a lot of water and still their thirst is not quenched in hot Summer. As the stomach is full with water they eat less and are likely to become weak. Taking strong cereal like “Vadapappu” (greengram prepared in a particular way) gives the necessary energy and “Paanakam”, a drink made with jaggery and pepper, quenches your thirst better than any ‘cool drink’.
Our ancient wizards who discovered many such things, linked them to “tradition” as the ignorant might neglect following these useful practices.
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