ha-hla-dvee-ku-N-koo
By S. P. Kamatkarha-hla-dv (turmeric) and ku-N-koo (a red dot on forehead) have a significant place in the life of a Marathi woman.
ha-hla-dv and ku-N-koo are used in the worship of god-idols, especially of goddesses (la-khsh-mee: goddess of wealth or dvu-R-gaa and many others) in the daily religious rituals performed in the altar - found in many Marathi homes and also in temples.
It is a Marathi tradition when two married women meet in a temple they will apply ha-hla-dv and ku-N-koo on each other’s forehead. ha-hla-dv and ku-N-koo are auspicious and are believed to be symbols of power, fortune and well being. In many Marathi homes, when a woman guest says good bye to hosts, the lady of the house will invariably ask her to wait and will apply ha-hla-dv, ku-N-koo to her.
Ku-N-koo is believed to be a a symbol of woman’s sau-bhaa-gya (good fortune), suggesting her husband lives a healthy long life and so she too will enjoy a long happy married life. These days women do not use ha-hla-dv on forehead, but on special occasions or ceremonies as ha-hla-dvee-ku-N-koo they will use both ha-hla-dv and ku-N-koo
Chai-tvra-gau-ree-cxhe ha-hla-dvee-ku-N-koo, as name suggests, starts from the third day of chai-tvra (the first month of the Marathi year) till a-khsha-ya tvri-tvee-yaa - third day of wai-shaa-kh (second month of the year). It is arranged at least once during this period in almost every Marathi home.
On this day every Marathi household is full of activities and joy. One of the big rooms is artistically decorated. A small idol of a-nna-pu-R-tnaa (goddess of food and plenty) is installed on a raised platform.
Invitations are sent to all women relations and friends in the neighborhood. Invitation is always simple - aa-jx aa-ma-chyaa gha-ree ha-hla-dvee-ku-N-ka-wa-laa yaa (please visit our home this evening for ha-hla-dvee-ku-N-koo). No woman, unless for an unavoidable reason, refuses this invitation.
The lady of the house and daughters, daughter-in-laws welcome every woman with applying ha-hla-dv-ku-N-koo on her forehead. As this event is in wa-sa-N-tva ru-tvu (early summer) snacks and drinks offered are most appropriate for the season kai-ree-chee daa-hla (a delicious ,spicy recipe of raw mango and soaked split chickpeas), kai-ree-cxhe pa-nhe (a tangy sweet drink of raw mango), few sweets, and radiant red slices of water melon are the usual snacks. Every item of the menu is most appropriate for the summer season and it beats the heat!
The other two major ha-hla-dvee-ku-N-koo ceremonies are ma-haa-la-khsh-mee-cxhe ha-hla-dvee-ku-N-koo and sa-N-kraa-N-tvee-cxhe ha-hla-dvee-ku-N-koo. They fall in the months of bhaa-dvra-pa-dv and poau-hsha, 6th and 9th months of Marathi year, respectively. There are also other small ha-hla-dvee-ku-N-koo occasions in the month of shraa-wa-tn (fifth month of the Marathi calendar).
Such ha-hla-dvee-ku-N-koo events provide joyous opportunities for the women to socialize with their neighbors and relations. They help strenghthen their family and community bond, and also an excellent opportunity to meet and make new friends. This traditional ha-hla-dvee-ku-N-koo has some religious significance but these days even some political, social, and, cultural organizations too host ha-hla-dvee-ku-N-koo events for the women wing.
ha-hla-dvee-ku-N-koo, is Marathi women’s expression of greeting, good wishes, sau-bhaa-gya (good fortune). No wonder, during ha-hla-dvee-ku-N-koo days life is more beautiful for Marathi women.
