Paras Ramoutar
TRINIDAD, November 11, 2007: Hindus will finally complete two months of fasting and penance on Kaatik-ke-Nahaan November 18, as a signal that this auspicious and spiritually-charged period comes to an end. Thousands of Hindus, mainly women, will converge at several beaches and rivers to celebrate the annual festival of Kaatik-ke-Nahaan.
Main areas of focus will be Manzanilla and Mayaro beaches, which have become the Khumba Mela for this very auspicious Hindu religious observance over the years. Kaatik is a full month of celebration which falls in October/November and coincides with Divali, the Festival of Lights.
Several mandirs and other religious groups will perform Ganga Puja and make offerings to the ocean and recite special mantras in honour of Ganga Mata, the Mother of the Ocean.
Among the many mandirs and religious groups participating in the celebrations are: Edinburgh Hindu Temple led by Pundit Ramesh Tiwari; mandirs from Caparo, Felicity, Penal, Chaguanas, Cunupia, Sangre Grande, Longdenville, Princes Town, Debe, Tunapuna and Couva.
Boodram and Kamla Ramoutar will host the Edinburgh Hindu Temple’s celebration at their beach resort, (entrance is the road opposite the Mayaro Composite School). There will be music, songs and dances, and the public is invited to attend. Pundit Tiwari will perform special puja at Mayaro Beach to mark the occasion.
According to Hindu astrology, the correct name is Kaartik Poornima Snaari. Hindus believe taking a bath in the Holy River of the Ganges is considered sacred since the Goddess Ganga is personified with this river, according to Pundit Tiwari.
“A dip in this river on the Kaatik fulll moon day is believed to be especially important as this cleanses the bather of all impurities and frees him from the three types of fear in the world:daihik or physical, daivic or natural, and bhautic or non-physical.
“Fasting as a religious vow and observance is the best form of austerity for the masses and householders as they help in developing the spiritual side of the aspirant. It has been a time-honoured religious practice since the hoary past,” Pundit Munesh remarked.
“Kaatik observance is a medium for prayer and devotion, and it fosters charity and contemplation, and it is a natural vehicle for spiritual growth, purification and self-control,” Pundit Vishnu Deonarine pointed out.