THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
Beej Pujan (seed worship) day was celebrated by the farmer community across Goa on June 8 to mark the auspicious occasion of Mrigashira Nakshatra, the charioteer of the farmers.
Mrigashira Nakshatra begins on June 8 till June 21 for a period of 14 days.
The Nakshatra periods are generally of two weeks duration and relevant for agricultural operations and post monsoon months. In 2004, an attempt was made to prepare the Nakshatra based climatology, that is, the trends of rainfall activity during the different Nakshatra.
The appeal to celebrate the Beej Pujan day came from Shrirang Jambhale, principal at Ramanata Crisna Pai Raikar School of Agriculture at Savoi Verem, on behalf of the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, Goa, and was received well by farmers in the State.
These farmers wholeheartedly worshipped the seeds at their homes and fields to express their gratitude towards these tiny seeds that eventually become the source of mighty trees or that can magically turn into bountiful crops.
“A seed is the base of our life. It’s that green around us that makes our planet a living habitat. It’s the tiny seed that grows into plants of medicinal importance, into crops to feed us. It’s the seed that germinates and grows into a huge, green, flowering, fruit bearing tree, to offer us flowers, fruits, shade and most importantly, in today’s context, the oxygen (O2) that helps us breathe,” stated Jambhale, a farmer himself.
