INDIAN THANKSGIVING

The Indian version of Thanksgiving falls in early autumn. It is a remembrance of ancestors one has seen and heard of. It is a pledge of gratitude to them for allowing one to enjoy the colour, sight, smell, taste, vibrancy and wonders of this life, this earth and this universe. They are believed to be among the gods, and one has to be ritually cleansed (by taking a bath, preferably in a river or a pond) before invoking them for their blessings. One has to stand in knee-deep water to do so. If that's not possible, then a padmasana on a mat will do. Some water is needed for achman (ritualistic ablution) and to hold a handful (what else is better than that?) to offer them while chanting the prayer, usually the gayatri mantra. It's a shame that the lawmaker, Manu (circa 2nd century BCE to 4th century CE) did not allow women to participate in this celebration known as TARPAN.