अग्रतश्चतुरो वेदा: पृष्ठत: सशरं धनु:।
इदं ब्राह्ममिदं क्षात्रं शापादपि शरादपि।।
Chitpavan Brahman Sangh, Nashik
Chitpavan Brahman Sangh, Nashik

Encyclopedia - Chitpavan Brahman Sangh, Nashik Customs and Traditions of Chitpavan Brahmins

Following are the main kulachar or customs seen performed in Chittapawans:
Bodan, Gondhal, Gauri-Ganapati, Navratri and Dev Diwali.

1) Bodan:

The word Bodan comes from Sanskrit word Vardhan meaning Growth. The Bodan is offered when you make your family (Vansh Vruddhi). After the arrival of new baby the Bodan is offered to Devi (Shakti) to seek her blessings for the whole family.

2) Gondhal

In Chitpavans, Gondhal is performed whenever there is a marriage of any family member. In this Gondhal, the newly married couple performs puja of their Kuladevata (Family Deity) and seeks her blessings. This Gondhal and Puja is performed at night. Then they end this puja by praying deity with her Aarti.

3) Gauri - Ganapati

Ganapati Utsav
Fourth day of Bhadrapada is celebrated with tremendous enthusiasm as Ganesh Chaturthi in honor of Lord Ganesha, the God of wisdom. Almost every household installs Ganesha idols, made out of mud and painted in water colours, at home. Early morning on this day, the clay idols of Ganesha are brought home while chanting Ganpati Bappa Morya and installed on the decorated platforms. Then the Ganapati Pujan is done with all rituals.

Gauri / Mahalakshmi
Along with Ganesha, Gauri (also known as Mahalaxmi in Vidharbha region of Maharashtra) festival is celebrated with lot of festivities in Maharashtra. This is three-day festival. On the first day, Gauris arrive at home, next day they eat lunch with variety of sweets and on the third day they return to their home. In Chitpavans, Gauris are taken home in the form of 5 riverside stones. They are treated with lots of love since they represent the daughters arriving at their parents' place.

4) Navaratri

This festival starts on the first day of the Hindu month of Ashvin. The nine-day festival of Durga culminates in Vijayadashami (Dasara). This is the one of the three auspicious days of the year. Traditionally, stars need not be consulted for starting a new project on this day. People also exchange leaves of Apti tree as symbol of gold. During Navaratri women and girls hold bhondla, a singing party in honor of the Goddess. In Chitpavan families they invite Kumarika, Suwasini (married woman) during these 9 days. Also perform Mahalaxmi puja on Ashtami and offer Bodan to Devi on the 10th day i.e., Dasara.

5) Dev Diwali

You won't find this particular custom in any other community. This is found only in Chitpavans. This Dev Diwali occurs on the next day of Kartik shuddha 15 - Paurnima, that is Margashirsha Pratipada. And it is celebrated remembering all Kula Devta, Sthan Devta, Vastu Devta, Gram Devta etc.

Chitpavan Brahman Sangh, Nashik
Chitpavan Brahman Sangh, Nashik
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