Myth and Religious Importance of Jhangora, Barnyard Millet in Uttarakhand

Plant Myths, Religious Importance, and Traditions in Uttarakhand (Himalaya) – 10

By: Bhishma Kukreti, M.Sc. (Botany) (Mythology Research Scholar)

Botanical name – Echinochola frumentacea

Local name – Jhangora

Hindi Name- Swaiya

Sanskrit Name-Shyamak

Economic benefits – The rice was very important food of Uttarakhand till late sixties. This millet is  food of fasting days in plains out of Uttarakhand.

                   Myths, Religious Importance and Traditions

  There is religious importance of Jhangora or barnyard millets in Uttarakhand too.

              The cooked cake of barnyard millet (with flower on top of cake) is offered to cattle on Chhoti Diwali, Diwali, Godhan and Igas (all days related to deepawali).

       In old time, people perceived the Jhangora or barnyard millet as auspicious or lucky gift to daughter in her marriage.

  The symbols and lighted earthen lamp is put over Jhangora in wood vessel in Ala and called Narsingh ka Thau (staying place for Narsingh) . None other than Jhangora/barnyard millet is kept into the wood vessel.

      

  

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Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti, Mumbai 2017

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Plant Myths  , Religious Importance, Traditions , Garhwal, Uttarakhand ; Plant Myths , Religious Importance, Traditions , Kumaon, Uttarakhand ;Plant Myths , Religious Importance, Traditions , Uttarakhand; Plant Myths , Religious Importance, Traditions , Uttarakhand, Himalaya; Plant Myths , Religious Importance, Traditions , Uttarakhand, North India; Plant Myths , Religious Importance, Traditions , Uttarakhand, South Asia