CHITA

Another beauty of Indian culture. Another beautiful ritual of oriya families. Being in India is all about celebration. So much that sometimes it be could little tiring.

But this one is no pain. This is a tradition in Oriya families, called Chita. Chita is a paste made out of rice powder and water. The ladies and young girls in the house pray to the goddess of wealth, Laxmi before sunrise and draw these patterns all around the house. This ritual starts from mid november till mid december on account of Lunar calender followed by the Hindus.

These patterns are made almost every where including all the doors.

I always had a rough idea about this occasions as it has been always celebrated by the women in the family and the men just get good food. However this year I decided to get a bit more deep into this tradition. 

So, I almost got myself invited to my sister's house. All my sisters are religious and very dedicated when it comes to practice them. So early morning my sister woke me up for visiting her to check more on the ocassion. Much earlier to that, even before tge sunrise she got up for the prolong prayers. Then drew these beautiful patters in and around the house. 

When I arrived she was beautifully dressed in a white and red saree. I was surprised to know that all women dress like the godess Laxmi as they are living reflection of the godess for every house. 

Imagine if all those ladies gather in one place, the scene would be beautiful for my sister was looking so pretty. 

I had to appreciate my multi talented and multi tasking sister who prayed, cooked many dishes including seven kinds of deserts, did the Chita around the house to treat all of us. 

No wonder my country is full of surprises,  for if I am still exploring about traditions from my own place. This drawing of patterns infront of the house is done by women in India for several occassions. For example in north and west its the coulorful Rangoli, in the South it is called Chitra, in bengal it is known as Alpana and in Orissa its celebrated as Chita.

So this day is to the unity in diversity in India and to all the women for whom the centuries old traditions have survived and  the country is colourful :)