Date:10/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/08/10/stories/2006081001190200.htm

Kerala

It is festival time in Kozhikode now

Boys and men of Gujarati families who have made Kozhikode their home for years now receive `rakhis' by post from their sisters elsewhere. Those who have their brothers here have the privilege of performing the ritual and, in return, receive gifts from their brothers in person.

The sizable Gujarati population in Kozhikode, along with the Marwadis, Punjabis and Sindhis here, celebrated the `Raksha bandhan' festival on Wednesday by giving gifts and distributing sweets in a spirit of camaraderie and strengthening family ties.

Girls and women tied `rakhis' of different colours and patterns on the hands of their brothers and, in turn, received gifts from them.

Says Vijay Negandhi, president and a senior member of the Gujarati Samajam, there is a legend connecting the Raksha bandhan festival to the Onam of Kerala. Mahalakshmi had gone to the netherworld in the guise of the sister of Mahabali and she is believed to have tied a rakhi on his hand and, in turn, received a favour from him.

The day that falls on full moon also signals the time of the year when sailors could set out to the sea for business after the fury of the monsoon.

A special puja was conducted on the beach on Wednesday in a symbolic gesture to sailors who venture out to sea.

Gifts in the form of money are usually presented by men to the sisters who tie the rakhi, says Kanchan Chabra, a member of the Sindhi community. The rituals include performing of puja and distribution of sweets.

Hansa Jayant, councillor and a member of the Gujarati community, says her family receives a couple of rakhis by post every year, besides the ones that her husband and sons get here. The Gujarati families used to make sweets for distribution during the festival at home itself, but now they prefer to pick them from outlets in the city that do good business on the day, says Kiran Gupta, a member of the Punjabi community whose family has been settled in Kozhikode for the last 50 years. The Tamil Brahmin community celebrated Avani Avittom under the aegis of the Tamil Brahmana Samooham on Wednesday. More than 700 members participated in the ritual, which symbolises the permission to study the Vedas, says C.A. Mani, committee member of the Tamil Brahmana Samooham.

Maleeha Raghaviah