Goa, Aug. 30 -- Adv Suraj Uttam Malik

In the Goa-Konkan region, the fifth month of the lunar calendar, Shravan, is observed as one of the most festive seasons of the year. Aytar Pujan is one such festival that celebrates and venerates the region's floral wealth. The term 'Aytar' means Sunday, and the festival is essentially a worship of the Sun God. It is traditionally celebrated on each Sunday of Shravan.

How does one worship a celestial object?The concept of Aytar Pujan reflects the far-sighted vision of our ancestors. During Shravan, a brief respite from the continuous torrential rainfall allows sunlight to reach grasses and herbs, enabling them to flourish to a certain height Sunlight is essential for plant growth, and this understa...