The ending of Malmas (or Adhikmas) todays brings back the joy and excitement surrounding weddings in our village. Tomorrow onwards all the pious works related to weddings starts. Weddings that had been on hold for the past month are now clear for the wedding bells to ring. The villagers were more excited because of the community feasts that goes around with each of the wedding. In my villages people get a good chance to fiesta on non veg (mutton) as the weddings were incomplete without the mutton dishes. While having a chit chat in the evening, few of our relatives sidelined me as I stopped eating mutton lately. This brings a new experience to me.
Malmas which is also known as Adhik Maas or Purushottam Maas is an extra lunar month added to the Hindu calendar every 32.5 months. It synchronizes the lunar and solar years so festivals align with the seasons. In traditional astrology, it is considered inauspicious for worldly milestones but highly meritorious for spiritual practices. This is most of the suspicious events were put on hold and so does the wedding. Tomorrow onwards, Weddings talks and preparation will be in full swing in the coming weeks. Wedding in villages is incomplete with the community. The community member stands together to carry out all the formality. They involve with managing the wedding events to preparation food and handling the guests. Todays evening while the planning was underway, one of the relative sidelined me as I lost interest in eating mutton. I was a hard-core mutton lover but certain development at home made me to part away. I have no hesitation in taking such drastic step but considering the community is more inclined towards mutton i feel if I done the right things?
Officially on the veggie wagon.
Post my Dad's death, I remain the sole mutton lover at home. The ladies at home were not so interested towards mutton. This made me to be lonely mutton eater. I wanted to carry on the family and community tradition, but being a sole mutton eater made me to dependent on others. Cooking for self is a huge task, so I avoided cooking at home. My relatives at home were quite caring and they do offer me as when they prepare mutton. But relying on them over fee pieces is against my self respect. So I avoided eating at their houses. Then I left to enjoy mutton on wedding or at hotels. This made my relative to point fingers on me. They were quick to highlight that I am more interested in enjoying free meals outside but hesitate to eat home. This again struck me strongly and I made a decision to stop eating mutton. Last few month I avoided it completely. Be it at home, or any marriage function or any relative place or even at market. Noticing my changed taste the village community were quick to make a new perception about me. For them I am turning vegetarian and involving me in wedding mutton feats may go against my liking.
New diet, who dis?
Rural communities are guardians of indigenous customs, folklore, and traditional knowledge, ensuring that rich heritage is passed down through generations. Mutton has been part of our tradition. Older people were an exception case who may opt out of eating mutton but an young adult were always considered to carry on the age old practice. But I have my exception. I am ready to accept this change, as I am pretty right in my decision. Eating mutton or not should be an individual choice rather than the community will decide. I am hoping to adjust with the new changed condition.
In good faith - Peace!!
