From soil to soul: Navyachi puja celebrated across Goa on 2nd day of Chaturthi

On the second day of Ganesh Chaturthi, people celebrate Navyachi Pancham. On the occasion, freshly harvested paddy is brought home and the Navyachi puja is performed.

THE PURPOSE

The puja is a gesture of gratitude and thanksgiving for a good harvest.

MOTHER NATURE'S BOUNTY

Navye or nave basically means new. It is a celebration of new harvest or the crop.

RICH TRADITION

The crop is taken home and a puja is performed. Some also take the rice sheaves to temples. People tie some of the rice sheaves to the main door or the matoli which is hung above the idol of Lord Ganesh

SWEET OFFERING

Navyacho Pyes, a simple pudding made of rice and milk is prepared to celebrate the first harvest. The sweet dish is offered to Lord Ganesha and then relished by other members of the family. This is an integral part of Chaturthi celebration in Goa.

THANK YOU BAPPA

This ritual is a thanksgiving to Bappa for protecting the harvest and household items from any sort of destruction and to continue to shower his blessings upon them.

ONE HARVEST AT A TIME

The celebration also sows seeds of community bonding and also impresses upon people to share the bounty of plentiful harvest.

NEXT: The delicious side of Ganesh Chaturthi