Two families, a century-old tradition, and a feast for the people on Anant Chaturdashi

Panaji: For many, Anant Chaturdashi marks the ritual of bidding adieu to the holy guest, Lord Ganesha, after 11 days of festivities. But for two Panaji families — the Mhamai Kamats and the Mahales — it also marks the day they open their homes to hundreds of visitors for a community meal.

Not just friends, but any devotees can walk in and partake in the meal. It is a ritual followed by the two families spanning generations.For over a century, the Mhamai Kamat family has been opening its doors for the ‘mahaprasad’ in their 350-year-old ancestral heritage home in Panaji. The preparations for the feast start at 6am, with the place swept clean and preparations to grind the rice for the ‘paiss’ served as prasad.

Then follows the preparation of the mahaprasad in massive vessels over a traditional stove.“We started this tradition in 1890,” said a Mhamai Kamat family member. “The cooks are brought all the way from Karnataka; they are also part of the Saraswat community.”The feast is preceded by a ‘mahaaarti’, which is also attended by a large number of devotees. The feast usually starts from 7pm and goes on till midnight, followed by an overnight ‘kirtan’ by women.

For the Mahale family in Mala, the tradition of the ‘Madananta Vrat’ has been a symbol of commitment and duty for at least the past 100 years. The vrat has been a ritual passed down to the Mahale family for generations, where the eldest male family member has to observe the fast on the day, every year.“This fast started a hundred years ago when my great grandfather, who lived in Cumbharjua, met a saint who came to his doorstep with an idol of Anant.

The saint told him to worship him and observe the fast, and moments later, he passed away. Since then, we have been observing this fast,” said Raghuvir Mahale.Devotees and visitors come with offerings of coconuts — with their family names written — and fruits for Lord Anant.Mahale also said couples who haven’t conceived children also come and seek blessings, while also paying their respects after the child is born.The mahaprasad at the Mahales, unlike the Mhamai Kamats, is served in the afternoon, after the ‘aarti’ is performed. The feast is served in steel plates and is arranged in the large open space at the Mahale house in Mala. The feast includes 14 vegetarian dishes along with ‘varan-bhaat’ and several sweets made of milk, sugar, and jaggery.