Historical Reference
The ninth month of the Hindu Calender is ‘Mrugshirsh’ or ‘Margashirsh’. Till 1752 the different calendars prevailed in Europe which had August / September or even March as the starting months and even the Hindu calendar used to start with ‘Margashirsh’. This month is of particular importance as this is the month of Lord Krushna as is evidenced by the verse ‘Masanam Margashirshoham’ of 10th ‘Adhyay’ of ‘Shrimad Bhagvad Gita’, the philosophical epic by lord ‘Krishna which is the bible for the ‘Hindus’. In Maharashtra this day is celebrated in Margashirsh as the day of celebration of the Diwali by all ‘Dev’s i.e. gods. Hence the name ‘Devdiwali’. This is also known as ‘Tripuri Paurnima’ as it is believed that ‘Lord Shankar’ destroyed the three cities of the three ‘Asurs’ (evil forces) on the day of ‘Kartiki Paurnima. The followers of ‘Lord Vishnu’ believe that he returned to ‘Vaikunth’ on this day of ‘Kartik Paurnima’ after the ‘Vamanavatar’. As such in northern India, Devdiwali is celebrated in the month of ‘Kartik’.
Purpose
The urbanization necessitated by the industrialisation caused migration of the village population to the big cities in search of jobs, leaving the traditional profession of ‘Agriculture’. This resulted in the people becoming busy in daily rituals and detached them from their religious rituals performed by them in their villages. Various rituals including the ritual of ‘Devdiwali’ have been devised to establish this estranged relationship with the gods and goddesses. A collective worship of all gods also may be motive behind this ritual. Though this ritual has lost its importance due to decreasing devoutness, this ritual is being religiously followed in some places in the ‘Konkan’ region.
Rituals
The festival is celebrated on the first day of month of ‘Margashirsh’. All the chitpavan Brahmins offer ‘Mahanaivedya’ to the ‘Kuladevata’s of their respective ‘Kuls’, ‘Gramdevata’s of their originating villages, ‘Ishtadevata’s and all the other gods which they normally offer worship to. Kuldevata are offered ‘Mahanaivedya’ on separate ‘Banana leaf’ whereas the ‘Mahanaivedya’ for the ‘Gramdevatas’ on a single ‘Banana leaf’ in form of ‘Mudis’ of ‘Bhat’ (Cakes of the cooked rice). Vade and ‘Gharge’ (the sweet ‘Vadas’ of Pumpkin) are the delicacies. The ‘Mahanaivedya’ for ‘Kuldevata’ is consumed by the members of the family whereas the ‘Mahanaivedya’ for ‘Gramdevata’s is offered to the Gomata’ (cow) or to the ‘Gurav’ (Persons offering puja in the Village temple) or to the poor and needy people.