Pagan festivals have always fascinated me. The ancient rituals and celebrations that took place during these festivals seem almost magical. Paganism, which refers to a diverse group of religious and spiritual practices that are usually nature-based, has a long history dating back to prehistoric times. One of the most well-known pagan festivals is Samhain, which is celebrated on October 31st and marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. Samhain is believed to be a time when the veil between the living and the spirit world is thin, allowing for communication with ancestors and other supernatural beings. This festival is often associated with bonfires, divination, and the wearing of costumes to ward off evil spirits.
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This festival is often associated with bonfires, divination, and the wearing of costumes to ward off evil spirits. Another popular pagan festival is Beltane, celebrated on May 1st. Beltane is a celebration of fertility and the beginning of summer.
The magic and logic of mangoes
Mention mango and your mouth waters. Be it the raw green maangais or the juicy yellow mampazhams, the fruit is used in everything from sambhars and kuzhambus to desserts and cakes. A rich source of vitamins and minerals, mango enhances body metabolism and has a ‘Midas touch’ on your skin.
But, of late, people have become apprehensive of buying mangoes. What an artificially ripened mango can do to you is hard to digest. Divya, a school student, recalls last Sunday morning when she woke up with severe stomach ache and needed to visit the toilet frequently all day. After scores of tests and diagnoses, the doctor chalked it up to that delicious mango she had enjoyed the previous night.
Chemical storehouses
Mangoes are fast becoming chemical storehouses. “Using carbide stones to ripen mangoes is like heating the fruit,” warns Dr. Sathiyan, general physician. “Consumption of such mangoes may lead to severe dehydration and can also affect the kidneys and liver.” Frequent consumption of artificially ripened mangoes can increase the toxin levels in the body. Doctors identify the immediate effects as severe headache, stomach ache, diarrhoea and vomiting.
“Nowadays, it is very difficult to see mangoes that ripen while still on the tree. Climate changes have affected natural cycles of flowering and fruit yielding,” says Arumugam, owner of a mango farm at Mettukadai Village, near Sirumalai. “Mangoes from Sirumalai sell all over South India. The increasing demand has forced wholesale vendors to ripen the fruit artificially.” Instead of using chemical stones, he suggests using hay for advancing the ripening stage.
“One needs to be careful while selecting mangoes,” says Soosai, a retired health official. “Repeated seizures by the local body and coverage in the media have made people much aware.” Many who fell ill after consuming artificially ripened mangoes feel strongly about the issue. Arul Francis, a college student, has even started a discussion on his blog that has attracted enthusiastic comments. Another member of ‘efarm buyer guide’, an online forum, has uploaded a video on Youtube explaining the ways to recognize an artificially ripened mango.
However, at Simmakkal market, the fruit mandis are stocked with mangoes and business is brisk even till late in the night. Meenal, a roadside vendor, laments that the native fruits are neglected in favour of hybrids and imported mangoes. She says, “I bring the fruits directly from my farm at the village but local breeds are no more selling.” Exotic varieties such as Alphonso, Imam Pasand and Banganepalle are in high demand, while kasa, kallamai and Sappattai are either used in juice shops or bought unripe for pickling.
This year, vendors claim that the yield is poor and the demand has gone up. The retail price of the usual varieties has increased considerably, while Alphonso, which is never accessible to the ‘aam aadmi’, costs up to Rs. 1000 a kilo.
If you are a diehard mango lover, apply a little logic. Buy green mangoes to avoid risk, choose local varieties, or else simply opt for one of those mango drinks that celebrities endorse.
THE RIGHT PICK: Artificially ripened mangoes look extremely polished and shiny but naturally ripened ones will have wrinkles on the skin.
Flesh near the seed in mangoes ripened with carbide stones will taste sour while good mangoes will have a uniform taste.
The colour of a normally ripened mango will be a smooth, homogenous shade of green and yellow while artificially ripened ones will have patches of green or yellow.
Mangoes sold before May can be expected to be artificially ripened.
VARIETIES AND RATES:(Wholesale rates in Rupees per kg at Madurai’s Simmakal fruit market)
Totapuri or Kallaamai -- 10
Neelam or Kaasalattu -- 15
Imam Pasand – 40 to 50
MANGO MANIA: If you are skeptical about buying mangoes, here is a chance to still satiate your craving for the flavour. Check out the wide range of mango-made pastries at ‘Mango fiesta’ at The Pastry Shop in Hotel Fortune Pandiyan. The fest is on till the month’s end.
Mango mouse gateaux
This is a lip-smacking cold dessert with a lingering tinge of mango and vanilla flavours.
INGREDIENTS:
Whipped cream - 150 gm
Vanilla essence - for flavour
Mango essence - for flavour
Mango crush – 30 ml
Fresh mango - 1 no
Yellow food colouring
Mix egg yolk, sugar, milk and vanilla essence and double boil. Mix 20 ml gelatin with 25 ml water and add to the boiled mixture. After it becomes thick, add fresh cream, mango essence, mango crush and yellow colouring and mix well.
Take a tray, put the sponge in it and pour the essence on it. Repeat it once more and keep it in the fridge in cold dessert mode for 15 mins. Garnish with cherry, mango crush and mint leaves.
(Courtesy: Chef S. Aravind, Hotel Fortune Pandiyan)
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It is a time of joy and abundance, with rituals often involving dancing around a maypole and lighting bonfires. The energy of Beltane is vibrant and life-affirming, and it is seen as a time of union between the masculine and feminine forces of nature. Imbolc is another significant pagan festival, observed on February 1st or 2nd, symbolizing the return of light and the first signs of spring. It is a time of purification and renewal, and rituals often involve lighting candles and making offerings to the goddess Brigid. Imbolc is also associated with the warming of the earth and the awakening of the natural world after the cold winter months. These pagan festivals, along with many others, are a reminder of the deep connection between humans and the natural world. They celebrate the changing seasons, honor the cycles of life and death, and provide a sense of community and spiritual connection. To me, pagan festivals are a beautiful way to reconnect with nature and tap into the ancient wisdom and traditions of our ancestors..
Reviews for "Celebrating the wheel of the year: pagan festivals for every season"
- Sarah - 1 star
I was really excited to attend the Pagan festivals jeae me, but I was ultimately disappointed. The whole event felt disorganized and chaotic. The schedule was constantly changing, and it seemed like nobody knew what was going on. The vendors were also really underwhelming, with very few interesting items for sale. Overall, it was a letdown and not worth the time or money.
- James - 2 stars
I had high hopes for the Pagan festivals jeae me, but unfortunately, they didn't live up to my expectations. The atmosphere was lacking, with a lackluster energy in the air. The workshops and presentations felt rushed and superficial, with limited depth of knowledge. The overall vibe of the event left me feeling unsatisfied, and I would not attend again.
- Emily - 1 star
The Pagan festivals jeae me were a complete disappointment. The organization was a mess, with long lines for everything and not enough space for people to move around comfortably. The workshops were disorganized and lacking in substance, and the presenters seemed unprepared. I also found the ticket prices to be overpriced for what was offered. I would not recommend attending this event.