GT Digital
On Sundays, in the holy month of Shravan, married Hindu women fast for the longevity of their husbands by observing Shravan Aitaar.
Leaves possessing medicinal properties are worshipped during that time. This is also a way to express gratitude to nature, which is at its best during the monsoons.
According to Hindu tradition, the plants which are worshipped on Shravan Sundays are those which Sita had access to when she was in exile for 14 years.
In Goa, these plants are known by their local names -- chiddo, Sitechi bota, Sitechi paula, ghodyachi paula -- to name a few.
Customs followed on this day include cleaning the house, creating beautiful rangolis, placing the leaves on a special low wooden table near the devaro (a place of worship in Hindu homes), and then worshipping them.
Married women pray to the sun (surya), to bless their husbands with longevity, and to the moon (chandra) for tenderness.
After the puja, naivaidya is offered, wherein a special sweet is prepared and served to family members every Sunday.
In the evening, a departure ceremony is held, wherein there is a puja near the tulsi vrindavan in the courtyard, and the leaves and puja items are reverently placed.