Old Hindu Rituals III

We must admit that south Indian"s have still preserved the traditions and most of that are still followed. From their dressing up to their eating meals on banana leaves, also most of the ladies still prefer wearing fragrant flowers garland on hair. All this is still a part of their routine. And in part II of my series of these stories on Old Hindu Rituals I mentioned that wearing a flower on hair is helpful to ladies in their menstrual cycle period. Also, it adds to the beauty.

Now let us see why eating a meal on banana leaves is good. First of all banana leaves are found in plenty in South India because almost all households have banana plants in their garden, and banana is grown for commercial purposes also. Banana is part of their everyday food, in various forms. As a fruit, as vegetable and other cooked varieties and also as snacks

Like chips etc banana is used regularly.

so availability is one reason, secondly, it has health benefits, also the aroma of banana leaves make food tastier. No need for washing dishes and reusing it when there are many people invited for a meal for occasions like marriages. And they have a culture or should say the habit of folding the banana leaf properly after their meal and these are again food for cows so this way very fewer chances of wastage of food. Very wise management.

Even in Maharashtra and some other regions, we can see the use of banana leaves for a meal, also some other plant leaves are used by binding leaves properly and shaped like a dish for serving food. It is economical as well as eco friendly.

Now let us see how the food is served on a dish / banana leaf. Is there any sequence to follow while serving food especially on certain religious or social occasions when people in group are invited for a meal ??? Yes, each food item has its fixed place decided on a dish and it is served only in that place.

Salt, piece of lemon, raita, salad, chatni, and other small food items like pickle, fried items like " papad, pakode " all these are served in the left-hand side of the person who is going to eat the food. As these food items are not repeatedly served, only very rarely if demanded then they are served. Whereas other main items like vegetables, Dal are served on the right side because the proportion of right side items is more than items served on the left side. So it is easier for a person while eating food. Rice, Roti, and sweets especially also have a place in the middle of the leaf . Because they are main items of food. Drinking water is kept on the left side of a person eating meal. and all food items were of different varieties and made using many ingredients that used to make meal complete having all tastes like, sweet, sour, salty, hot, cool with the use of curd, and all. And a complete meal full of all vitamins and minerals and all necessary ingredients that are required for good health were part of such a meal.

But nowadays we have a buffet dinner system on occasions like festivals, marriage so the charm of serving the food systematically is vanishing.

Yes, we have to change as per the circumstances and adapt ourselves to changes. New ways followed also have its benefits but still, we can say that " Old is Gold " this quote is truly correct