|
Phool Dei
is celebrated on the first day of the month of Chaitra in
mid March and on this day young girls conduct most of the
ceremonies. In some places this festival is celebrated
throughout the month with the advent of spring. During
this festival young girls go to all the houses in the
muhalla or the village with plates full of rice, jaggery,
coconut, green leaves and flowers.
|
|
They
offer their good wishes for the prosperity of the
household and are given blessings and presents (sweets,
gur, money etc) in return. In a few places even today they
sprinkle flowers and rice on the doorsteps and sing:
phool dei, chamma dei
deno dwar, bhur bhakar
yo dei sei namashkar, puje dwar
Sei (a pudding made with floor, curd and jaggery) is
prepared specially for this occasion. Folk singers sing
the Riturain, Chaiti and other songs welcoming spring and
are given presents, money and foodgrains.
|